The structure of mast cell secretory granules in the blind mole rat (Spalax ehrenbergi)

Eosinophils, basophils, and mast cells produce and secrete active substances whose role is to attack invading parasites and protect the host. In this study we use morphometric methods to study mast cells in the blind mole rat (Spalax ehrenbergi). The subterranean and solitary way of life of this species has led to the evolutionary development of special anatomical, morphological, behavioral, and physiological adaptations. Because of its particular lifestyle, the mole rat is less exposed to parasites than other rodents. This could provide a unique model for research into the pathobiology of mast cells. The paracrystalline structure of the mast cell granule content is composed of parallel plates. Diffraction analysis of electron micrographs of thin sections of araldite-embedded tissues indicated that each crystal line plate is a periodic array of parallelograms. The crystal unit cell volume is approximately 930 nm(3), suggesting that each unit cell is composed of one heparin molecule and one to three additional adsorbed proteins. Morphometric data show that characteristics of the secretory granules of mast cells of the blind mole rat resemble those of other rodents. The mast cell unit granule volume in the present study was calculated to be 0.055 mum(3), similar to that of rat peritoneal mast cells. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science (USA).