Physiological Functions of White Blood Cells
Physiological Functions of White Blood Cells
Physiological Functions of White Blood Cells
Objectives: WBCs 1. Identify the different types of WBCs 2. Enumerate the functions of the various types of WBCs 3. Describe the steps of formation of WBCs 4. List the factors required for their maturation. 5. Infer the importance of total and differential WBC counts 6. Define the terms leucocytosis and leucopenia 7. Define leukemia
Neutrophils 60-70% 10-12 in size; 2-5 lobed nucleus; Older the cell more the lobes(polymorphonuclear leukocytes); Small colored granules which contain enzymes, Defensins, oxidants Action: by Phagocytosis Life span: a few hrs: 4-8 hrs in blood; 4-5 days in tissues Fast response; neutrophilia in bacterial diseases; neutropenia in drug toxicity
Eosinophils
0-4%; 10-12 Bi-lobed nucleus; coarse acidophilic granules Phagocytose antigen-antibody complexes; destroy parasites Granules contain various enzymes : MBP Increase in allergic conditions; decrease during stress-corticoids
The Granulocytes
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Agranular WBCs
Monocyte 12-20 ;3-8%; circulate in blood for about 20-30 hrs.
long life span (many weeks to months) after change into macrophages in tissues Single kidney shaped nucleus Phagocytosis after converting in to macrophages
Life span: few hours to a few days They have Major Histocompatibility Antigens on surface: -Identification of the SELF
Main functions:
combat infection by phagocytosis immune mechanisms
Adhesion molecules
on neutrophil
When required , they escape from the blood via capillary pores (emigration) helped by integrins enter tissue and have their action there by
phagocytosis
Phagocytosis
2. Adherence
phagocyte attaches to microbe using proteins
3. Ingestion
pseudopods from WBC surrounds microbe formation of a PHAGOSOME
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4. Digestion
Phagosome enters cytoplasm of WBC and merges with LYSOSOME: Phagolysosome: secretion of lysozomal enzymes followed by release of oxidants: oxidative burst 5. Killing as result of the above. Residual bodies get left behind
1 CHEMOTAXIS
Microbe Phagocyte
3 INGESTION
5 KILLING
Phases of phagocytosis
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Eosinophilic myeloblast
eosinophil
B lymphoblast
Basophilic myeloblast
basophil
NK Cell
NK lymphoblast
Granulocytes and monocytes : formed only in the BONE MARROW stored in the bone marrow, and released into circulation. Lympocytes and Plasma cells also in lymhoid tissue, are stored in lymhoid tissue . Few released into circulation
Various Colony Stimulating factors (CSFs or Growth Inducers) help in their formation: IL1, IL6 and IL3 (multi CSF)
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Leuocytosis >11000
Neutophils Infections, Burns, inflammation Lymphocytes Viral infections Monocyts Viral, fungal infections, TB, Chronic disease Eosinophils
Some viral infections Bacterial infections (typhoid) Bone marrow suppression Drugs: antibiotics corticosteroids
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Typical eg:
8 year child; high fever; pain throat; difficulty in swallowing swollen septic tonsils
Elderly person; exposure to radiation Hx of intractable fever and infections; Loss of appetite
Summary
1. TLC, types of WBC, DLC 2. Description of various types of WBCs and their actions 3. Phagocytosis 4. Development of WBCs and factors associated 5. Define leucocytosis/leucopenia with typical examples 6. Leukemias or blood cancer
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