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

Total Leucocyte count (TLC) 4000-11,000 /L

Types of WBCs Granulocytes contain granules Neutrophils Eosinophils Basophils: Agranlocytes Lymphocytes Monocytes Differential count: DLC Neutrophils 60-70% Lymphocytes 20-25% Monocytes 3-8% Eosinophils 1-4% Basophils 0-1%

White Blood Cells (WBCs)

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

Basophils 0-1% 8-10

Nucleus usually bi-lobed; large deep purple colored granules which often cover the nucleus Secrete heparin, serotonin, histamine: help in inflammation

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

Lymphocyte 6-9 (small); 10-14 (large); 20-25%; mostly formed in

lymhoid tissue; some in bone marrow. Nucleus surrounded by thin ring of cytoplasm; long life span inside tissues, but only a few hours in blood B and T lymphocytes: Immune mechanisms B lymphos form plasma cells Natural Killer (NK) cells against viruses, cancer

Life span: few hours to a few days They have Major Histocompatibility Antigens on surface: -Identification of the SELF

Physiology and Functions of WBCs

Main functions:
combat infection by phagocytosis immune mechanisms

Adhesion molecules
on neutrophil

Selectins: on endothelial cells - attach to CHOn

surface

Integrins on neutrophils: also make

WBCs stick to endothelial surface, & help them to move out of the blood vessels

When required , they escape from the blood via capillary pores (emigration) helped by integrins enter tissue and have their action there by

phagocytosis

Phagocytosis

Mainly by neutrophils and monocytes Steps of Phagocytosis

Promoted by i. bacterial toxins ii. kinins from damaged tissues iii. CSFs

1 . Chemotaxis : attraction of WBCs to site of infection

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

2 ADHERENCE Pseudopod Lysosome Plasma membrane Digestive enzymes

3 INGESTION

4 DIGESTION Digested microbe in phagolysosome Residual body (indigestible material)

5 KILLING

Phases of phagocytosis
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Formation of WBCs: Hemopoiesis

Pluripotent stem cell Myeloid stem cells

Colony Forming Unit G/M Neutrophil monocyte

Lymphoid stem cell

T lymphocyte B lymphocyte T lymphoblast

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)

These are proteins in nature

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Normal WBC count: 4000-11000

Leuocytosis >11000
Neutophils Infections, Burns, inflammation Lymphocytes Viral infections Monocyts Viral, fungal infections, TB, Chronic disease Eosinophils

Leuopenia < 4000

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

TLC 18,500 DLC: N. 88%; L 10%; E 2%

Elderly person; exposure to radiation Hx of intractable fever and infections; Loss of appetite

Leukemias (blood cancer)

TLC 2000 DLC: N. 30% L 60%; E 4% ; 6% other WBCs

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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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