Lysosomal compartment of macrophages: extending the definition of GERL

"Professional phagocytes" such as Kupffer cells show an extensive network of interconnected residual bodies with cytochemically demonstrable acid phosphatase [orthophosphoric monoester phosphohydrolase (acid optimum), EC 3.1.3.2]. In such cells and in other (hepatocytes, etc.) this compartment may be considered a part of GERL [a hydrolase-rich region of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) situated at the trans face of the Golgi apparatus from which various Lysosomes appear to arise].