1. Physiology of Blood Cells and Haematological Terminology Flashcards
What are all blood cells derived from and where do they originate?
Blood cells of all types originate in the bone marrow
They are ultimately derived from multipotent haematopoietic stem cells
What do pluripotent stem cells give rise to?
Lymphoid stem cells
Multipotent myeloid stem cells/precursors
From both of these, red cells, granulocytes, monocytes and platelets are derived
What can a multi potent lymphoid-myeloid stem cell differentiate into?
• There are TWO branches in the differentiation:
○ Multipotent Myeloid Stem Cell/Precursor
• Granulocyte-monocyte (neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils)
• Erythroid
• Megakaryocyte
○ Lymphoid Stem Cell
• T cells
• B cells
• NK cells
What are the characteristics of haematopoietic stem cells and why are they important?
- Ability to self-renew and produce mature progeny – it protects the ability of the bone marrow to produce differentiated progeny for the lifespan of the individual
- It has the ability to divide into two cells with different characteristics, one another stem cell and the other a cell capable of differentiating to mature progeny
How are erythrocytes initially produced?
• The multipotent myeloid stem cell/precursor can give rise to the proerythroblast (this is the first cell in the erythroid lineage)
• This then gives rise to erythroblasts (cells with nuclei) and then erythrocytes/red cells (without nuclei)
NOTE: the ending blast indicates that the cell is a precursor
Outline the normal erythrocyte maturation process
The proerythroblast is a large cell and its chromosomes are widespread showing that it is still an early cell
This divides into two early erythroblasts which divide into two intermediate erythroblasts which divide into two late erythroblasts
These early cells are classified based on the appearance of their cytoplasm.
How does the colour of the erythroblasts change as they mature?
As the red cells differentiate, the colour of the cytoplasm goes from dark blue to a more pink colour
This is because the mature red cell is completely pink
Why is erythropoietin important and how is it made?
• Normal erythropoiesis requires the presence of erythropoietin
• Erythropoietin is synthesised mainly in the kidneys, in response to hypoxia (but also sometimes anaemia as both reduce the amount of oxygen delivered to the kidneys)
• Erythropoietin is also partly made in the liver
• Process:
○ Hypoxia is detected by the kidneys
○ This leads to an increase in erythropoietin synthesis
○ This increases bone marrow activity
○ This leads to an increase in red cell production
Wher does erythropoietin production take place?
Mainly from juxtatubular interstitial cells in the KIDNEYS
A small amount of erythropoietin is produced in the LIVER by hepatocytes and interstitial cells
What is the lifespan of erythrocytes and how are they destroyed?
The red cells are ultimately destroyed by phagocytic cells (macrophages) in the SPLEEN but can also be anywhere else in the body
How do white cells come about and what is needed for this?
- The multipotent haemopoietic stem cell can also give rise to a myeloblast, which in turn can give rise to granulocytes and monocytes
- Cytokines and various interleukins are needed
Outline the granulocyte maturation process
- Each cell divides into 2
- Myeloblasts divide into promyelocytes which have primary granules. Pale area adjacent to the nucleus is the golgi zone where the granules are produced
- Myelocytes have primary and secondary granules (so two different colours)
- Band form is an immature neutrophil which matures through condensation of the chromatin and lobulation of the nucleus to form a mature neutrophil
Outline the main characteristics and function of neutrophils
• The neutrophil survives 7-10 hours in the circulation before migrating into the tissues where it has its main effect but it can also have an effect in the bloodstream
• Its main function is defence against infection
It phagocytoses and kills microorganisms
How can a neutrophil get out of the bloodstream?
It becomes adhesive so sticks to the endothelium. This is due to changes on the endothelium or the neutrophil. Rolls along endothelium, escapes via diapedesis, migrates through tissues in response to chemokines then undergoes phagocytosis in tissues
Outline the main characteristic of eosinophils
- Spends less time in the circulation than neutrophils
- Bigger granules and more brightly staining than the neutrophil (usually orangy red)
- Its main function is defence against PARASITIC infection
- Important in allergic responses
- It only has TWO lobes in its nucleus
Outline the characteristics of basophils
Have a role in ALLERGIC RESPONSES
In basophils there are often so many dark blue dots that you don’t even see the nucleus
Outline the characteristics of monocytes
- These spend several days in the circulation
- They are large cells with a kidney bean shaped nucleus
- Monocytes migrate to the tissues where they develop into macrophages (also called histiocytes) and other specialised cell types that have a phagocytic function
- Macrophages also store and release IRON through the breakdown of haemoglobin. It can be released again for erythropoeisis
- Finely granular cytoplasm and a large lobulated nuclei
Outline the characteristics of platelets
- Multipotent haematopoietic stem cells can also give rise to megakaryocytes and then to platelets
- It has a granular cytoplasm so the platelet produced also has granules which are needed for platelet function
- Platelets survive about 10 days in the circulation – so if someone is bleeding and has a lack of platelets then they can be given platelets through transfusion
- If someone takes aspirin then it will destroy part of the function of all the platelets and then won’t start working properly again for another 10 days when the platelets are replenished
- Platelets have a role in primary haemostasis
- Platelets contribute phospholipid, which promotes blood coagulation
Outline the characteristics of lymphocytes
- The lymphoid stem cell gives rise to B cells, T cells and NK cells
- Lymphocytes recirculate to the lymph nodes and other tissues and then back to the blood stream unlike myeloid cells that don’t re-enter the bloodstream once they leave
- The intravascular life span of lymphocytes is very variable
- It is a small cell with more nucleus than cytoplasm. The granules contain cytotoxic proteins
Define anisocytosis and poikilocytosis
Anisocytosis - red cells show more variation in SIZE than is normal
Poikilocytosis - red cells show more variation in SHAPE than is normal. Cells are more oval than round
Define microcytosis and macrocytosis. How would you determine if any of these are present?
Microcytosis – red cells are smaller than normal
Macrocytosis – red cells are larger than normal
You use LYMPHOCYTES as a reference to determine whether the cells are bigger or smaller than normal
Define the terms microcytic, normocytic and macrocytic
- Microcytic – describes red cells that are smaller than normal or an anaemia with small red cells
- Normocytic – describes red cells that are of normal size or an anaemia with normal sized red cells
- Macrocytic – describes red cells that are larger than normal or an anaemia with large red cells
What is hypochromia? What would cells with hypochromia look like and what causes hypochromia?
- Normal red cells have about ONE THIRD of the diameter that is pale
- This means that in hypochromia, the red cells appear much paler in the middle
- Definition of hypochromia: the cells have a larger area of central pallor than normal
- This results from a lower haemoglobin content and concentration and a flatter cell
- Hypochromia and Microcytosis often go together as they are both caused by a reduced synthesis of haemoglobin
- You see a rim of redness around the cell, almost all of it is pale. Such cells can often be seen in patients with thalassaemia where one or more of the globin chains are absent
Define hyperchromia. Why does this occur and what would hyperchromatic cells look like?
- Definition: the cells LACK central pallor
- This can occur because they are thicker than normal or because their shape is abnormal
- Hyperchromia has many causes since many abnormally shaped cells lack the central thinner area