Naphthol-AS-D-chloroacetate esterase activity in globule leucocytes in the tracheal epithelium of rats.

The enzyme naphthol-AS-D-chloroacetate esterase is histochemically demonstrated in the granules of globule leucocytes in the tracheal epithelium of rats. The enzyme reactivity may be used as a cytochemical marker of these cells. The previously postulated mast cell origin of globule leucocytes is doubted, and the possibility that globule leucocytes belong to the group of natural killer cells is discussed. The biological role of the located esterase and the function of the globule leucocytes are also briefly discussed.