Touton giant cell

Specifically, Touton giant cells are found in lipid-rich lesions such as those of fat necrosis, xanthoma, xanthelasma and xanthogranulomas.

[2] Touton giant cells are commonly characterized by their very unqiue histological appearance as well as their response to various stimuli associated with the body's immune system.

[4] Karl Touton observed these giant cells when examining a biopsy or skin tissue sample from someone with a lesion under a microscope.

It has been suggested that cytokines (signaling molecules) such as interferon gamma, interleukin-3, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and M-CSF may be involved in the production of Touton giant cells.

Macrophages are derived from monocytes, white blood cells that aid in destroying bacteria and germs to prevent infection.

They do so by engulfing and degrading large foreign materials such as lipids in the lesions they are found in, most commonly in areas of fat necrosis.

Some of these conditions include xanthomas: lesions that are seen in hyperlipidemia; xanthogranuloma: benign skin lesions; fat necrosis: areas of trauma where adipose tissue has been disrupted; dermatofibrosa: benign skin tumor characterized by fibrous components; granulomatous diseases such as sarcoidosis.