Giant cytoplasmic granules in Langerhans cells of Chediak-Higashi syndrome

Giant membrane-bound cytoplasmic granules were found in the epidermal Langerhans cells of a patient with the Chediak-Higashi syndrome. These cells also contained normal-appearing Birbeck granules. The giant granules had a granular or sometimes globular internal structure; they are believed to derive from fusion of lysosomes or some portion of Birbeck granules. It is unclear whether this morphologic change in Langerhans cell interferes with their antigen-presenting function; it may be, in part, responsible for the frequent infections seen in patients with Chediak-Higashi syndrome that are otherwise more clearly related to the abnormalities in neutrophils and lymphocytes. The Langerhans cell is another cellular type in Chediak-Higashi syndrome in which giant cytoplasmic granules are found.