Emperipolesis of neutrophils by dysmorphic megakaryocytes

Abstract

Neutrophil engulfment by megakaryocytes was observed within 20 to 30% of megakaryocytes from two children: one with metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma, the other with fever of unknown origin. Other cell types and neutrophil precursors were not observed within megakaryocytes. Only late megakaryocytes were involved in the process, and often these cells appeared vacuolated or degenerating at the light and electron microscope level. Ultrastructurally the engulfed neutrophils were intact and were within the open canalicular system of the megakaryocyte cytoplasm. No evidence of neutrophil granule exocytosis could be demonstrated in ultrastructural morphologic and peroxidase preparations; however, many neutrophils appeared to be endocytosing portions of the megakaryocyte cytoplasm. The phenomenon could not be transferred to normal marrow incubated with patient serum or plasma. Thus, our patients differ from previous observations of emperipolesis in: 1) the extreme frequency of the observation; 2) the selective involvement of neutrophils; and 3) the association of the anomaly with dysmorphic and/or disrupted megakaryocytes. These observations are consistent with a neutrophil response to altered and/or injured megakaryocytes.