| Definition: |
A neutrophil precursor in the granulocytic series, being a cell intermediate in development between a myelocyte and the band form neutrophil. The protein synthesis seen in earlier stages decreases or stops; the nucleus becomes indented where the indentation is smaller than half the distance to the farthest nuclear margin; chromatin becomes coarse and clumped; specific granules predominate while primary granules are rare; and the cytoplasm becomes amphophilic like that of a mature granulocyte. This cell type is integrin alpha-M-positive, CD13-negative, CD15-positive, CD16-positive, CD33-positive, CD24-positive, fMLP receptor-negative and has expression of C/EBP-a, C/EBP-e, PU.1 transcription factor, lactotransferrin, myeloperoxidase and neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin. |