The tissue cells stained red in this image are which cell type?

• A. Goblet
• B. Langerhans cell
• C. Kupffer cell
• D. Osteocyte

Answer: (A)

Red-stained cells here are goblet cells. Goblet cells are specialized mucin-secreting epithelial cells found in mucous membranes of the intestines and airways. When mucin-rich cytoplasm is stained with mucicarmine (or similar mucin stains), the mucin binds the dye and the cytoplasm appears deep red or magenta. This red staining reflects the presence of mucin-filled vesicles at the apical portion of the cell, giving goblet cells their characteristic appearance with a basally placed nucleus.

Langerhans cells are dendritic skin/ mucosal antigen-presenting cells and wouldn’t display mucin-rich cytoplasm. Kupffer cells are liver macrophages, which have a different cytoplasmic texture and staining pattern. Osteocytes are bone cells embedded in the mineralized matrix and likewise do not show mucin staining.