Open AccessBirbeck granules, worm-like bodies and “lupus erythematosus virus”
Author(s) -
Ken Hashimoto,
Hiroshi Fujiwara,
Keiko Fujiwara
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
european journal of dermatology/ejd. european journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.48
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1952-4013
pISSN - 1167-1122
DOI - 10.1684/ejd.2016.2840
Subject(s) - birbeck granules , ultrastructure , histiocyte , biology , endoplasmic reticulum , pathology , anatomy , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology , langerhans cell , immune system
The origin of worm-like bodies and their relationship with Birbeck granules is poorly understood. To clarify the origin of worm-like bodies and their relationship with Birbeck granules. Over 800 electron micrographs of histiocytic disorders and several appendage tumours were reviewed in order to check for worm-like bodies and Birbeck granules. Worm-like bodies were most often encountered in mildly- to moderately-proliferative histiocytic tumours. Birbeck granules were observed in more malignant conditions. Narrow endoplasmic reticulum (Nrer), which resembles worm-like bodies, was abundant in worm-like body-rich cells and coexisted with Birbeck rods. Nrer is thought to be one of the candidates that gives rise to worm-like bodies. An ultrastructural similarity exists between worm-like bodies (and octopus body formation) and the so-called "lupus erythematosus virus". The presence of Nrer is often concomitant with other organelle markers, and could be a candidate for the origin of worm-like bodies.