The Kurloff cell

Summary Kurloff cells belong to the group of macrophages as far as ultrastructure, adhesiveness and identification with Kupffer cells (in the case of the liver) are concerned. A characteristic group of features makes it easy to recognize them: PAS reaction, cyanol-blue staining, presence of myelin figures in electron microscopy and attachment to glass-slides.Kurloff cells are thymic and blood cells. They are observed in small numbers in the circulating blood and, in large quantities, in spleen (red pulp), liver (hepatic sinusoids) and lung (septal capillaries). They are absent from lymphatic nodules and from diffuse lymphatic tissues.Morphological and experimental studies indicate that, in spite of some equivocal similarities, Kurloff cells are distinguishable by many criteria from erythrophagocytic cells and from protein-secreting blood cells.The authors wish to express their appreciation to all those who have so kindly assisted in the preparation of this paper: Professor P. Galle of C.H.U. Henri-Mondor, Head Physician A. Michaud of G.E.R.S. of Toulon-Naval, Mr. J. P. Thiery of the Centre de Recherches d'Ivry, Mrs. E. Lehman, A. Thouin and P. Boussin of the Université de Caen. Melle A. Deshayes patiently typed the text