Granzyme B
Alias/Synonym: Cytotoxic T-cells, NK Cells
CPT Code: 88342
- Includes:
- Specimen Type, Preferred:
- Formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue
- Specimen Type, Alternate:
- Sample Quantity, Preferred:
- 1 block
- 2 slides
- Sample Quantity, Minimum:
- N/A
- Transport Container:
- Paraffin block
- Unstained slides
- Transport Temperature:
- Room temperature
- Collection Instructions:
- Block and slide identifiers should be clearly written and match exactly with the specimen ID and specimen labeling as noted on the requisition.
- Slides should be positively charged and cut at 3-4 microns for each stain/antibody ordered.
- Specimen Stability:
- N/A
- Rejection Criteria:
- No liquid specimens.
- Uncharged slides
- Clinical Significance:
- Granzymes are neutral serine proteases which are stored in specialized lytic granules of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and in natural killer (NK) cells. These CTL and NK cells are heavily involved in the elimination of neoplastic and virally infected cells. Secretory granules containing perforin and granzymes are instrumental in undertaking cytolytic activity. Granzyme B is understood to enter a target cell through a perforin pore-formed channel to induce DNA fragmentation and apoptosis. Granzyme B has also been described in neoplastic CTL and NK cells.
- Limitations:
- Turnaround Time:
- 1 day(s)
- Reference Ranges:
- N/A