Gauchercellen
Gauchercellen are macrophages that have accumulated an excessive amount of glucocerebroside. This accumulation occurs due to a deficiency in the enzyme glucocerebrosidase, also known as beta-glucosidase. Glucocerebrosidase is responsible for breaking down glucocerebroside, a lipid found in cell membranes. When this enzyme is deficient, glucocerebroside builds up within lysosomes, leading to the characteristic appearance of Gauchercellen.
These enlarged, foamy-looking macrophages are a hallmark of Gaucher disease, a lysosomal storage disorder. Gaucher disease
Gauchercellen are typically found in the spleen, liver, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. Their accumulation can