White Blood Cells Flashcards
Examples of granulocytes
Neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils. They are called granulocytes as they have granules in the cytoplasm that contain substances essential for phagocytosis.
What are monocytes
Precursors of tissue macrophages which are derived from myeloid progenitor cells.
What is the function of neutrophil granulocytes
Chemotaxis, phagocytosis , killing of phagocytosis bacteria
Function of monocytes and macrophages
Chemotaxis , phagocytosis, killing of microbes and antigen presentation
Function of eosinophil granulocytes
Chemotaxis, phagocytosis , killing of phagocytosed bacteria, defence against parasitic infection
Function of basophils granulocytes
Mediation of immediate-type hypersensitivity and modulation of inflammatory responses by releasing heparin and proteases
Function of lymphocytes
Humoral and cellular immunity
How does a monocyte form
MSC forms myeloblast which then forms granulocytes and monocytes
G-CSF
Granulocyte colony - stimulating factor
M-CSF
Macrophages colony stimulating factor
GM-CSF
Granulocyte macrophages stimulating factor
Normal granulocyte maturation
Myeloblast - promyelocyte-myelocyte- band form- neutrophil . Apart from neutrophil , other cells should only be present in the bone marrow
How can you recognise myeloblasts
Large size, open chromatin pattern of nuclei and prominent nucleoli
What happens to appearance of granulocytes as they mature
Reduction in cell size and addition of granules that are essential for cell function
What is the appearance of a neutrophil
The nucleus of the cell is segmented ( lobulated)
How do neutrophils carry out phagocytosis
Become marinated in vessel lumen, adhere to the endothelium and then migrate to the tissues. Follows chemotaxis ( based on toxic acidic substances released by the pathogen) . Kills PHAGOCYTOSED bacteria
Appearance of eosinophil
Characterised by bright red colour. Spend less time in circulation than neutrophils ( neutrophils spend 7-10 hrs in circulation )
What do the granules of basophils contain
Histamine ( inflammatory response ) and heparin ( anticoagulant)
What do monocytes do
Monocytes present antigens to lymphoid cells. Monocytes migrate to tissues where they develop into macrophages ( also known as histocytes) and other specialised cells that have a phagocytic and scavenging function. Macrophages also store and release iron
What do lymphocytes differentiate into
T cells, B cells and NK cells
Role of B lymphocytes
Mature into plasma cells and produce antibodies
How can you distinguish a plasma cell
Their nucleus is towards the edge of the cell
What do T lymphocytes do
Involved in cell mediated immunity. t helper cells produce cytokines such as interpherons which then activate macrophage and B cell synthesis
What do NK cells do
They are part of innate immune system. They kill tumour cells and virus infected cells
What are the diseases , neutrophilia, lymphocytosis , monocytes is , eosinophilia and basophilia example of ?
Leucocytosis ( too many white cells )
What is the name given to the condition that results in a reduction of the number of white cells ?
Neutropenia and lymphopenia
Causes of neutrophillia
Infection ( particularly bacterial) , inflammation , infarction or other tissue damage, CML, pregnancy and following exercise
What is Chronic Myeloid Leukemia ( CML)
Example of a myeloproliferative neoplasm ( where too many rbc or wbc or platelets are made which may cause problems for blood flow). Increase in all granulocytes in blood and bone marrow. Genetic . Gives cell a growth and survival advantage which gives rise to a leukaemic clone.
How can CML be treated
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors which inhibits the BCR-ABL1 protein signals between cell surface and nucleus. Disease also results in an enlarged spleen.
What is neutropenia
Too few neutrophils
What can cause neutropenia
Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, autoimmune diseases ( bacterial, viral and drugs - anticonvulsant antipsychotic and some antimalarials) , African or Afro-Caribbean history.
Treatment for neutropenia
Need urgent treat,ent either intravenous antibiotics as they are at high risk of infection.
Abnormalities in neutrophils in neutropenia
Normal neutrophils should have 3-5 segments but there is hypersegmentation which is an increase in the number of lobes. This usually results from a lack of vitamin B12 or Folic acid ( cells are able able to grow but unable to divide -megoblastic anaemia)
What does left shift mean
Increase in non-segmented neutrophils or that there are neutrophil precursors in blood
What is eosinophilia and what causes it
Too many eosinophils. Usually due to allergy or parasitic infection. Can occur in leukemia.
What is basophilia and what causes it
Too many basophils and uncommon but mainly due to leukemia or related condition
What is lymphocytosis
Too many lymphocytes
What causes lymphocytosis
Often as a response to viral infection ( transient) of can result from lymphoproliferative disorders such as lymphomas and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia ( persistent)
Give an example of a disease which is an imp cause if lymphocytosis in children
Bordatella pertussis ( whooping cough)
What happens to the the lymphocytes during lymphocytosis due to viral infection
Lymphocytes is in the middle and has intensely basophilic cytoplasm
Scalloped margins and hugging of surrounding RBC’s
What is the most common cause of persistent lymphocytosis in the elderly
Chronic lymphocytic eukaemia
What is leukemia
Cancer originating in haemopoietic or lymphoid cells
Difference between acute and chronic lymphoid leukaemia
In acute = increase in very immature cells (lymphoblasts) and these do not develop into mature cells
Acute are very sudden and severe in onset- If untreated disease is aggressive and patients die quickly
In chronic= the leukemic cells are mature although abnormal T cells B cells or NK cells.
In both bone marrow is infiltrated with immature lymphoblasts resulting in impaired haemopoiesis , lymphoblasts circulate in peripheral blood
What are the haematological features of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Leukocytosis with lymphoblasts in blood, anaemia ( normocytic and normochromic) , neutropenia , thrombocytopenia ( low platelet count) , replacement of normal bone marrow cells by lymphoblasts
What does thrombocytopenia do
Cause bruising
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment
Supportive;red cells, platelets and antibiotics
Systemic : chemo
Intrathecal chemo
What is lymphopenia
Decrease in number of circulating lymphocytes
Causes of lymphopenia
HIV, chemo, radiotherapy and corticosteroids
What is monocytosis
Too many monocytes
Causes of monocytosis
Infection ( chronic bacterial infection ) or chronic inflammation . Some types of leukaemia
