Paneth cells contain -

Paneth cells are zinc-containing cells widely distributed in Lieberkuhn's crypts of the intestine in a variety of species. These cells have atypically oriented bright eosinophilic granules containing a variety of antimicrobial proteins and play a role in mucosal immunity (and not mucin secretion). The principal defence molecule secreted by Paneth cells are alpha-defensins. In addition to defensins, Paneth cells secrete lysozyme, TNF- α, and phospholipase-A2.