Chromaffin granules and their cellular location in human skin

Summary

In a series of biopsies from human skin chromaffin granules were demonstrated in the corium by means of approved tinctorial methods. Characteristically shaped cells with protrusions are described as carriers of the granules.

In a supplementary series of human and animal materials, as well as of skin and other tissues the same types of granules and cells were observed. An irregular distribution was demonstrated in the corium, i. e. increase around vessels, nerve fibres and glands, and in the subepithelial layer of the connective tissue. Preliminary calculations showed 2 to 4 times larger amounts in skin from the calf than in skin from the abdomen. In skin from the calf a considerable reduction of the chromaffin granules and typical cells could be demonstrated 24 hours after death. The tinctorial superiority of the modified Sevki method is emphasized. In the material examined, this method proved capable of disclosing chromaffin substance to a much larger extent than other staining procedures. An account is given of the possibilities to differentiate between mast-cell granules and chromaffin granules.

Histochemical demonstration of noradrenalin and adrenalin was successful in human skin and in skin, adrenal glands and prostate from a cat and, finally, in skin from rats. The characteristically stained granules seem to be identical with chromaffin granules stained differently. Certain findings are thought to rule out that the cells might appertain to the enterochromaffin system.