Leukocyte Kinetics

Granulocytes / polymorphonuclear cells

Cell
Type
Proliferation
compartment
(BM)
Maturation /
storage
compartment
(BM)

Circulating Pool
(circulation)
Marginated Pool
(circulation)
Time spent in
circulation
Function Other
Neutrophil Yes Yes
2-3 days
Yes
CNP
Yes
MNP
10 hours
Replaced 2.5x
p/d
Defense against
microbes
(bacteria)
CNP : MNP = 1:1
in most
mammals

Cats: MNP = 3x
CNP

Eosinophil Yes Yes

Yes Yes Leave circulation
after a very short
time mins to
hrs

Min. recirculation

Involved in
parasitic
reactions
Found in
subepithelial
areas of skin,
lungs, GIT &
endometrium
(duration in
tissues weeks
or longer)

Basophil

Low numbers in
circulation
T ! = 6 hours -Contain most of
the histamine
found in blood

-Involved in
allergic reactions
(with mast cells)
Tissue survival =
2 weeks
Agranulocytes / mononuclear cells

Cell
Type
Proliferation
compartment
(BM)
Maturation /
storage
compartment
(BM)

Circulating Pool
(circulation)
Marginated Pool
(circulation)
Time spent in
circulation
Function Other
Monocyte No marrow
storage pool
18 hours
(tissue =
macrophages)
-Phagocytosis of
aged /
devitalised tissue

-Less potent in
killing of bacteria

-More active in
fungal & viral
infections

-Antigen
processing

-Inflammation

Same precursor
cell as neutrophil
Lymphocytes

Originate in
secondary
lymphoid tissue
- - - - -30 mins

-Recirculate

-Very long
lifespan weeks
to years

Responsible for
humoral (B-
lymphocyte) &
cellular (T-lymph)
immunity

Neutrophil Reactions:

Left shift: increase in the number of immature neutrophils in circulation

o Regenerative LS: Increased band neutrophils + neutrophilia in which mature neutrophils > band neutrophils
o Degenerative LS: Increased band neutrophils + low / normal WCC + band neutrophils > mature neutrophils

Right shift: mature neutrophilia with increased number of hypersegmented (> 5 lobes) mature neutrophils in circulation (idiopathic finding in horses)

Toxic changes: toxaemia or septicaemia which interferes with neutrophil maturation - cytoplasmic changes
o Toxic granulation
o Dohle bodies

Leukamoid Reaction: a severe leukocytosis resembling a granulocytic leukaemia - large numbers of precursors (metamyelocytes & myelocytes) present

Lymphocyte Reactions:

Blast transformed lymphocyte / Reactive lymphocyte:
o Immunologically stimulated
Atypical lymphocytes (clefted lymphocytes)
Lymphocyte rafting

Monocyte Reactions:
Monocytic activity: monocytes with large vacuolated cytoplasm phagocytic activity








Effect of catecholamine (epinephrine):

Fear, excitement, stress physiological leukocytosis

Neutrophils:
o Mild neutrophilia 2x normal without left shift
o Mobilsation of marginalised pool
o Total circulating neutrophils unchanged

Lymphocytes:
o Lymphocytosis more outspoken in cat; not seen in
horses
o Epinephrine blocks receptors on post-capillary venules
o Unidentified source: thoracic duct

Effects last 20 30 minutes
Species: more common in young cats and horses

Effect of cortisol (endogenous / exogenous):

Fear, excitement, stress physiological leukocytosis

Neutrophils:
o Neutrophilia without left shift
o Total neutrophil pool increased
! Decreased migration into tissue
! Increased rate of released of mature neuts
from bone marrow
! Less sticky move from MNP to CNP

Lymphocytes:
o Lymphopaenia
o Remain in lymphoid tissue & BM
o Lysis of cells due to long term excess glucocorticoids

Monocytes:
o Monocytosis
! Mobilization of marginal pool (more common in
dogs)

Eosinophils
o Eosinopaenia
! Margination or sequestration into tissue
! Inhibition of release from BM increase in BM

Dogs (STRESS LEUKOGRAM): neutrophilia without left shift; low
normal lymphocytes; monocytosis, eosinopaenia






















Effect of inflammation:

Neutrophils:
o Neutrophilia with a left shift
o Sudden need drains mature pool
o Endogenous release of glucocorticoids neutrophilia
o Exception: mild inflammation no L-shift; mature
neutrophilia; production in balance with shift no L-
shift; non-purulent inflammation normal neutrophils
o Amount of neutrophils during purulent inflammation =
balance between rate of emigration, consumption &
release from BM
o
Lymphocytes:
o Lymphopaenia (endogenous glucocorticoids)

Monocytes:
o Monocytosis
! Inconsistent finding
! Cortisol-induced due to stress associated with
inflammation
! Systemic mycosis specifically cause
monocytosis

Eosinophils
o Eosinopaenia (endogenous glucocorticoids)

SUMMARY:

1. Effect of catecholamine (epinephrine):

o Mild neutrophilia 2x normal without left shift
o Lymphocytosis

2. Effect of cortisol (endogenous / exogenous):
o Neutrophilia without left shift
o Lymphopaenia
o Monocytosis
o Eosinopaenia

Dogs (STRESS LEUKOGRAM): neutrophilia without left shift;
low normal lymphocytes; monocytosis, eosinopaenia

3. Effect of inflammation:
o Neutrophilia with a left shift
o Lymphopaenia
o Monocytosis
o Eosinopaenia