Figure 2
From: Neutrophil cannibalism – a back up when the macrophage clearance system is insufficient
Representative transmission electron micrographs displaying neutrophils during an LPS-induced lung inflammation. In areas of intense inflammation and neutrophil infiltration highly activated neutrophils (N), characterized by e.g. phagosomes and/or cytoplasmatic protrusions, were lying amongst apoptotic neutrophils (black arrow) and cell debris (black arrowhead) (A). Also secondary necrosis (characterized by membrane rupture of cells with an otherwise apoptotic morphology) of neutrophils was regularly observed (B). Furthermore, neutrophils containing large phagosomes (asterisks) enclosing neutrophilic cell remnants such as apoptotic nuclei and neutrophil granulae (C-E) were frequently found.