Eosin stainability and phagocytosis in inshore hagfish neutrophils

Two types of stratified (two-layered) granules (type 1, NG1a; type 2, NG2) in the neutrophils of inshore hagfish Eptatretus burgei showed eosin-positive (positive site: outer layer (L1) of NG1a and inner layer (L0) of NG2). In contrast, both eosin-positive sites have been reported to be basophilic. From present result, it is clarified that both sites exhibit as follows: L1 of NG1a, eosinophilic and mataazurophilic; L0 of NG2, eosinophilic, orthomethylenophilic and mataazurophilic. The inshore hagfish neutrophils phagocytosed zymosan particles, in vitro. All blood cells showing phagocytosis were identified as neutrophil.