Microanatomy 2 -Anaemia Flashcards
What does blood consist of
Plasma (a watery ground substance)
Dissolved fibrinogen (which polymerises to form insoluble fibrin fibres during coagulation)
Circulating blood cells as its cellular component. The blood cells in peripheral blood are of three classes:
- Leucocytes (white blood cells)
- Platelets (thrombocytes)
- Erythrocytes (red blood cells)
What are the three types of white blood cells
◦ granulocytes
◦ lymphocytes
◦ monocytes
what is the primary function of white blood cells
- cytokines
- immunoglobulins
- complement proteins
- phagocytosis
- make antibodies
describe granulocytes
are named for their prominent and characteristic cytoplasmic granules as seen in standard blood films/smears (Romanowsky stain)
are characterised by the presence of nuclei with several lobes
are motile and phagocytic
can be divided on their cytoplasmic and nuclear appearances into neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils
how much percentage of white blood cells do neutrophils make up
account for a majority of leucocytes in the blood (approximately 60-70%)
what are neutrophils identified on
are identified on a Romanowsky stained blood film as cells with segmented nuclei (2-5 lobes) and fine, pinkish cytoplasmic granules
describe the role that the neutrophils play in the defence line
are highly phagocytic in their defensive role and in the removal of damaged tissue after injury (i.e. during acute inflammation)
- defence against most invading pathogenic organisms particularly bacteria
what are the types of granules do neutrophils have
have both primary (appear at the promyelocyte stage) and secondary (appear at the myelocyte stage) granules
- they are both lysosomal in origin
what is the difference between primary and secondary granules in neutrophils
- primary granules contain myeloperoxidase, acid phosphatase and other acid hydrolases,
- secondary granules contain collagenase, lactoferrin and lysozyme.
describe what neutrophil granules do
Enzymes within the granules act to kill and/or degrade the ingested microbe or debris. This process occurs by oxygen dependent (e.g. hydrogen peroxide and superoxides) and oxygen independent (e.g. acid pH, lactoferrin binds iron necessary for bacterial growth) pathways.
Regulatory substances are also secreted from granules and are involved in many inflammatory processes including mobilisation of inflammatory mediators, complement activation and cell adhesion.
when do neutrophils increase in number
increase in number in the blood during bacterial infection and inflammation (neutrophilia or neutrophil leucocytosis)
what organelles do neutrophils have
- have few organelles for protein synthesis
- are adapted for survival in anaerobic conditions (glycogen stores) and have a short lifespan usually dying following a single burst of activity.
- Dead neutrophils as well as host tissue and foreign material liquified by the actions of released neutrophil enzymes are the main components of pus.
how much of circulating leucocytes does eosinophils make up
make up 1-4% of circulating leucocytes
how are eosinophils identified
are identified on a Romanowsky stained blood film as cells with segmented nuclei (usually bilobed) and red-orange granules
what defence are eosinophils involved In
are primarily involved in defence against parasitic infections, particularly helminths (parasitic worms) and protozoa.
what attracts eosinophils
ave lysosomal granules which contain cytotoxic compounds such as eosinophil cation, major basic protein and peroxidase as well as common lysosomal enzymes
have multiple biologic functions and contribute to a variety of immune defense mechanisms.
Eosinophil production and function are influenced by the cellular arm of the immune system (T-lymphocytes).
are proinflammatory cells that are capable of either protecting or damaging the host depending on the situation
describe how an eosinophil responds to an infection
e attracted by products released from basophils, mast cells, lymphokines from sensitised lymphocytes and allergy-related antigen/antibody complexes
how can an eosinophil modulate the allergic response
liberate substances that can neutralize mast cell and basophil products, thereby down modulating the allergic response
what is the proportion of basophils in the leucocyte population
- less than 1 %
how are basophils identified
are identified on a Romanowsky stained blood film as cells with characteristic large dark purple cytoplasmic granules that often obscure the bilobed nucleus
what are the features of basophils that allow it to respond
have granules that contain histamine (vasoactive substance) and heparin (anticoagulant)
and mast cells (tissue equivalent of the basophil) function as mediators of inflammatory responses, especially those of immediate hypersensitivity reactions such as asthma, urticaria, allergic rhinitis and anaphylaxis
have membrane receptors for IgE. When IgE attaches to the receptor, the cell is activated and degranulation is initiated.
Degranulation releases enzymes that are vasoactive, bronchoconstrictive and chemotactic (especially for eosinophils). This release of mediators initiates the classical signs of immediate hypersensitivity.
what proportion of leucocytes does lymphocytes make up
make up 20-40% of circulating leucocyte
what are lymphocytes
are the immunologically competent cells that assist the phagocytes in the defence of the body against infection and other foreign invasion
what are the two main types of lymphocytes
B and T
B
- antibody mediate immunity
T
- cell mediated immunity
describe the lymphocytes
- mostly have round, condensed nuclei typical of cells with little biosynthetic activity;
- cytoplasm forms only a narrow rim around the nucleus.
- A minority of lymphocytes are larger, mainly attributable to an increase in cytoplasm, and represent activated B cells and T cells or a small population of lymphocytes known as natural killer cells.
- have the longest lifespan of any leucocyte with some cells living many years (e.g. memory cells).