The formation of nodular inflammatory lesions, usually small or granular, firm, persistent, well-structured, and containing compactly grouped T lymphocytes and modified phagocytes such as epithelioid cells, giant cells, and other macrophages. Granuloma formation represents a chronic inflammatory response initiated by various infectious and noninfectious agents. The center of a granuloma consists of fused macrophages, which can become necrotic.

The process in which germinal centers form. A germinal center is a specialized microenvironment formed when activated B cells enter lymphoid follicles. Germinal centers are the foci for B cell proliferation and somatic hypermutation.

A vesicle-mediated transport process that results in the engulfment of external particulate material by phagocytes and their delivery to the lysosome. The particles are initially contained within phagocytic vacuoles (phagosomes), which then fuse with primary lysosomes to effect digestion of the particles.

Any process that modulates the frequency, rate, or extent of mast cell degranulation.

Any process that modulates the frequency, rate, or extent of mast cell degranulation.

The regulated exocytosis of secretory granules containing preformed mediators such as proteases, lipases, and inflammatory mediators by a neutrophil.

The regulated exocytosis of secretory granules containing preformed mediators such as perforin and granzymes by a natural killer cell.

Any process that activates or increases the frequency, rate or extent of exocytosis.

Any process that activates or increases the frequency, rate or extent of exocytosis.

The controlled release of a substance by a cell or a tissue.

Reactions triggered in response to the presence of a virus that act to protect the cell or organism.

A process that converts unprimed dense core granules (DCVs) to a pool of primed vesicles that are capable of fusing with the plasma membrane (fusion-competent) and thereby releasing their contents. Priming typically occurs after docking.

A process that converts unprimed dense core granules (DCVs) to a pool of primed vesicles that are capable of fusing with the plasma membrane (fusion-competent) and thereby releasing their contents. Priming typically occurs after docking.

Any process that activates or increases the frequency, rate or extent of substrate adhesion-dependent cell spreading.

Any process that activates or increases the frequency, rate or extent of regulated secretory pathway.

Any process that activates or increases the frequency, rate or extent of regulated secretory pathway.

The space external to the outermost structure of a cell. For cells without external protective or external encapsulating structures this refers to space outside of the plasma membrane. This term covers the host cell environment outside an intracellular parasite.

A small lytic vacuole that has cell cycle-independent morphology and is found in most animal cells and that contains a variety of hydrolases, most of which have their maximal activities in the pH range 5-6. The contained enzymes display latency if properly isolated. About 40 different lysosomal hydrolases are known and lysosomes have a great variety of morphologies and functions.

A small lytic vacuole that has cell cycle-independent morphology and is found in most animal cells and that contains a variety of hydrolases, most of which have their maximal activities in the pH range 5-6. The contained enzymes display latency if properly isolated. About 40 different lysosomal hydrolases are known and lysosomes have a great variety of morphologies and functions.

The part of the cytoplasm that does not contain organelles but which does contain other particulate matter, such as protein complexes.

The part of the cytoplasm that does not contain organelles but which does contain other particulate matter, such as protein complexes.

A large, elongated, rod-shaped secretory granule characteristic of vascular endothelial cells that contain a number of structurally and functionally distinct proteins, of which the best characterized are von Willebrand factor (VWF) and P-selectin. Weibel-Palade bodies are formed from the trans-Golgi network in a process that depends on VWF, which is densely packed in a highly organized manner, and on coat proteins that remain associated with the granules. Upon cell stimulation, regulated exocytosis releases the contained proteins to the cell surface, where they act in the recruitment of platelets and leukocytes and in inflammatory and vasoactive responses.

A large, elongated, rod-shaped secretory granule characteristic of vascular endothelial cells that contain a number of structurally and functionally distinct proteins, of which the best characterized are von Willebrand factor (VWF) and P-selectin. Weibel-Palade bodies are formed from the trans-Golgi network in a process that depends on VWF, which is densely packed in a highly organized manner, and on coat proteins that remain associated with the granules. Upon cell stimulation, regulated exocytosis releases the contained proteins to the cell surface, where they act in the recruitment of platelets and leukocytes and in inflammatory and vasoactive responses.

The volume enclosed by the membrane of an azurophil granule, a primary lysosomal granule found in neutrophil granulocytes that contains a wide range of hydrolytic enzymes and is released into the extracellular fluid.

Organized structure of distinctive morphology and function, bounded by a single or double lipid bilayer membrane and occurring within the cell. Includes the nucleus, mitochondria, plastids, vacuoles, and vesicles. Excludes the plasma membrane.

Organized structure of distinctive morphology and function, bounded by a single or double lipid bilayer membrane and occurring within the cell. Includes the nucleus, mitochondria, plastids, vacuoles, and vesicles. Excludes the plasma membrane.

A transport vesicle that mediates transport from an intracellular compartment to the plasma membrane, and fuses with the plasma membrane to release various cargo molecules, such as proteins or hormones, by exocytosis.

A transport vesicle that mediates transport from an intracellular compartment to the plasma membrane, and fuses with the plasma membrane to release various cargo molecules, such as proteins or hormones, by exocytosis.