Morphological differences in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. A Freeze-etching and scanning electron microscopy study.

A morphological study using freeze-etching and scanning electron microscopy was carried out on lymphocytes from human peripheral blood. Freeze-etching electron microscopy of lymphocytes fractured at the level of the membrane shows the presence of two groups of cells according to their surface morphology: lymphocytes with a smooth surface and lymphocytes with a villous surface. Cells with surface features identical to the two types described by freeze-etching were also observed by scanning electron microscopy. Some lymphocytes with smooth surface showing uropods were also observed.