In the article, we consider the basic functions of basophils, which are of the type of white blood cells that contribute to the maintenance of immunity. Their role is to identify and eradicate cancer in the early stages. White bodies also help to heal cuts and wounds, prevent the appearance of allergic reactions.
We describe the functions of basophils, eosinophils and neutrophils.
Basophils: what is it?
The human body produces various types of white blood cells. Their job is to maintain health, as well as protection against fungal infections, parasites, bacteria and viruses. Basophils are one of the types of such white bodies (of the total amount approximately 0.5%). They are formed in the bone marrow, but sometimes they can be found in small concentrations in all tissues of the body.
The functions and characteristics of basophil metabolism will be considered in more detail.
Allergic reaction
With a low level of these cells, we can talk about a significant allergic reaction. Elevated basophils in the blood, on the contrary, may be the result of the development of specific types of cancer. The peculiarity of basophil metabolism in peripheral blood is that they, leaving the bone marrow, circulate for several hours, then migrate to the tissues in which they function and live for 8-12 days.
The main functions of basophils
The main function is to prevent the penetration of infections and harmful bacteria into the human body. These cells help to heal cuts, wounds, forming a protective crust through lymphocytes. In the healing process, white bodies are destroyed, irritation, itching, tissue near the wound can swell. But that is not all. In addition to the main function, basophils have additional ones:
- They contain heparin - a substance that dilutes the blood and prevents its coagulation.
- Remove poisons and toxins.
- Prevent the occurrence of anaphylactic shock and allergic reactions. If the immune system is subject to excessive exposure to antigens, histamine is released by white cells. They also contribute to the production of special antibodies (agents), which are called immunoglobulin. Thanks to this, itchy skin is mitigated.
- Kill parasites, for example, ticks.
As you can see, the functions of basophils are unique.
Eosinophils, neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes
The content of basophils from all leukocytes is only 0.5%. In addition to this type of body, the following types can be found in the blood:
- Neutrophils. The largest group of white blood cells that fight severe infectious conditions.
- Lymphocytes They are part of the immune system, preventing the invasion of viruses and bacteria (pathogens).
- Eosinophils. They help fight parasitic infections. The functions of basophils and eosinophils play an important role in the body.
- Monocytes fight infections in the bloodstream, antigens, help restore damaged tissues, and also destroy cancer cells.
Let us consider in more detail the functions of basophils in immunology.
Fabric basophils
Tissue basophils (mast cells, mast cells, mast cells) are found in subcutaneous fat and in all layers of the dermis. There is an opinion that young tissue basophils are formed in the papillary layer (their precursors are evicted here from the microscopic part of the vascular bed), and then, as they mature, they move into the subcutaneous tissue and the layers of the dermis, which are lower, while increasing in size.
For tissue basophils, the source of development is a blood stem cell, a later descendant of which is the same for them and for basophilic white blood cells in the blood. The concentration of mast cells in the skin in various mammalian species differs and is inversely proportional to the number of basophilic granulocytes in the blood. Tissue basophils are most often located perivascular. Recently, information has appeared that such cells are able to enter the intact epidermis.
Their large-scale penetration into the epidermis is observed with skin mastocytomas. Mast cells have a clear polymorphism, which is manifested by the degree of filling with cytoplasmic granules, various cell shapes (from round to angular and elongated), and their size. Cells have a small oval or rounded in some cases hyperchromic nucleus. Their distinctive feature is the presence of cytoplasmic granules, whose size is from 0.3 to 1 ฮผm. When stained with certain dyes, fans are able to exhibit metachromasia.
The cytoplasm of tissue basophils includes organelles: two types of endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, Golgi complex, microfilaments, ribosomes, and in some cases centrioles. They are located near the nucleus, the degree of their development is determined by cell maturity. In young cells they are maximally developed, in mature cells they are almost invisible due to the concentration of a large number of granules. What are the main functions of tissue basophils?
Mast cells
The functional role of mast cells by biologically active substances that are contained in granules is determined. They regulate microvascular tone and permeability, the amount of water in the skin, support the colloidal state of the main component of connective tissue. Mast cells play a significant role in maintaining a normal metabolic level in the skin. Along with fibroblasts, mast cells take part in the biosynthesis of intercellular substance, including glycosaminoglycans. They distinguish several mediators that affect the division of epithelial cells and connective tissue, as well as regulate their activity.
Due to biologically active substances, tissue basophils are often involved in skin pathological processes. In this case, tissue edema and massive degranulation are noted in them, that is, the exit of granules, whose contents can cause the expansion of microvessels, and the exit of blood cells from them, primarily non-granular and granular leukocytes. Mediators regulate immune and inflammatory responses. A disease that is associated with a blastoma lesion of tissue basophils is called mastocytosis. It is characterized by skin morphological changes.
The functions of basophils in the blood are now known. What are the norms?
Norms
The basophil level is determined by a clinical blood test. The concentration of such bodies is set as a percentage of the total number of lymphocytes in the form of absolute and relative values. The absolute amount, regardless of age, is from 0.01 to 0.065 * 109 g / l, the relative amount directly depends on the personโs age and has the following indicators: 0.75% - newborns; 0.5% - baby from one month; 0.6% are one-year-old children; 0.7% - two-year; 0.5-1% - adult category.
Reasons for increased basophil content
With the continuation of the inflammatory reaction for more than three days, increased production of new basophils above normal occurs in the bone marrow. An increase in the number of these cells in the blood (over 0.2 * 109 / l) is called basophilocytosis, or basophilia. The cause of this process may be the final stage of acute inflammation or the presence of various pathologies.
The diseases and conditions in which basophils can increase are as follows:
- allergic reactions to drugs, products and other substances;
- blood pathology (acute leukemia, myelogenous leukemia, granulomatosis, etc.);
- chronic diseases of the stomach and intestines;
- thyroid pathology;
- chronic sinusitis;
- viral infections;
- diabetes;
- hemolytic anemia;
- Hodgkin's disease;
- the use of antithyroid drugs and estrogens;
- before menstruation and ovulation period.
The cause of basophilia is often the lack of iron in the human body. Basophils can also be elevated in people who have undergone spleen removal surgery. Basophilocytosis in any case shows the ongoing changes in the body, leading to serious consequences or insignificant. That is why, when basophilia is detected, it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive examination so as not to miss the alarm signal and start treatment in time if any disease is detected.
Ways to lower basophils
To reduce the number of basophils, the reason for their increase should be eliminated. The specialist examines the patient and, based on the results of the analyzes, determines the therapy. But basophils can increase in healthy people. This is most often due to a lack of iron. To replenish its reserves in the body, you should eat red meat, seafood, liver, vegetables, oily fish and fruits. For better absorption of iron by the body, it is advisable to drink orange juice during meals. In some cases, specialists prescribe iron supplements. Sometimes, to reduce basophils, it is enough to cancel taking antithyroid drugs and estrogens. Vitamin B12 (most often in the form of injections) will help normalize their content. Its natural sources are yeast, eggs, milk, meat, etc.
Causes of Basophil Reduction
If basophils are reduced, this is called basopenia. This condition is difficult to assess due to their low content. Basopenia may be in pregnant women, and this is most often the norm. A reduced concentration is sometimes observed in acute infections and hyperthyroidism, as well as as a result of the use of corticosteroids. Basophils may be completely absent in the blood during the treatment of oncology with serious drugs and chemotherapy. Adult basopenia is not included in the diagnosis. In children, a more pronounced decrease, it indicates a violation of the bone marrow or endocrine disease.
Basophils are invisible and at the same time important participants in the hematopoietic process. They are the first to signal allergies, directing the actions of other blood cells. If a person knows his basophil level, you can draw conclusions about the state of his immune system. The article examined the basic functions of basophils.