Ultrastructural characterization of the hemocytes of Culex quinquefasciatus (DIPTERA: Culicidae)

Abstract

Six hemocytes cell types from Culex quinquefasciatus were identified by light and transmission electron microscopy: They are prohemocytes (9.3%), spherulocytes (1.6%), adipohemocytes (0.8%), oenocytoids (4.6%), plasmatocytes (43.4%) and granulocytes (40.3%). The prohemocytes were the smallest hemocytes encountered in the hemolymph, displaying a large and centrally located nucleus, almost filling the whole cell. The spherulocytes, which were small hemocytes, presented small and numerous spherules with a lamellar pattern and an electron-dense core. Rare adipohemocytes were observed in the C. quinquefasciatus hemolymph, presenting large nucleus with an evident nucleolus, cytoplasm containing rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), mitochondriae and lipid inclusions. C. quinquefasciatus oenocytoids showed homogeneous cytoplasm with several granules, completely or partially filled with amorphous material. These cells showed abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) and dense mitochondriae. By light microscopy analysis we identified two morphological types of plasmatocytes, granular and agranular. However, ultrastructural investigation revealed that the granular cells contained lipid inclusion between RER membranes, instead of membrane-bounded granules. The granulocytes presented a fusiform or circular profile and displayed a unique and very complex process of granules formation, including organization of polysomes inside vesicles that protrude from the Golgi system, synthesis of a proteinaceous material, condensation of the granule matrix and recycling of endoplasmic membranes. Intense endocytic pathways were also observed in the granulocytes.