The Chediak-Higashi syndrome: microtubules in monocytes and lymphocytes

Recent investigations of Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CHS) leukocytes have suggested that defective cell function and formation of giant granules may be due to an inability of the cells to assemble microtubules because of an abnormality in synthesis of cyclic 3',5'-guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). In the present study we have examined normal and CHS lymphocytes and monocytes for the presence and frequency of centriole-associated microtubules. No statistically significant differences between the mean numbers of centriole associated microtubules in normal and CHS mononuclear cells could be detected. Results of the study fail to support the hypothesis that microtubule assembly is a fundamental defect in all CHS leukocytes.