Dacrocyte
A dacrocyte (or dacryocyte) is a type of
poikilocyte that is shaped like a teardrop
(a "teardrop cell"). A marked increase of dacrocytes is known as dacrocytosis.
These tear drop cells are found primarily in diseases with bone marrow fibrosis, such as: primary β-thalassemia.[1]
Etiology
One theory regarding dacrocyte formation is that red blood cells containing various inclusions undergo "pitting" by the spleen to remove these inclusions, and in the process, they can be stretched too far to return to their original shape.[2] It is also thought that this can similarly occur when red blood cells with large inclusions are obstructed from passing through the microcirculation, and the portion containing the inclusion thus gets pinched, leaving a tailed end.[3] As dacrocytes are associated with myelofibrosis, they are also theorized to be formed due to mechanically squeezing out from the bone marrow as a result of the infiltrative process.[4]
References
- S2CID 71036484.
- ^ "Teardrop Cells (Dacrocytes)". LabCE. MediaLab. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
- S2CID 18903985.
- ISBN 978-1-260-11613-7.