Lysozyme (EP134), RMab

Summary and Explanation

Lysozyme is a 14.4 kDa enzyme, commonly referred to as the “body’s own antibiotic” since it kills bacteria. Lysozyme is an enzyme that destroys bacterial cell walls by hydrolyzing the polysaccharide component of the cell wall. It is abundantly present in a number of secretions, including tears. This protein is present in cytoplasmic granules of the polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and released through mucosal secretions such as tears and saliva. They can also be found in high concentration in egg white.

Lysozyme antibody stains myeloid cells, histiocytes, granulocytes, macrophages, and monocytes in human tonsil, colon and skin. It is an important marker that may demonstrate the myeloid or monocytic nature of Acute Leukemia. The restrictive nature of Lysozyme antibody staining suggests that Lysozyme may be synthesized predominantly in reactive histiocytes rather than in resting, unstimulated phagocytes. It has not been determined whether Lysozyme stains any other cell or tissue type. Lysozyme may aid in the identification of histiocytic neoplasias and large lymphocytes, as well as classifying lymphoproliferative disorders.