WHITE BLOOD CELLS

(Leucocytes)
WHITE BLOOD CELLS (Leucocytes) (Leuco= white/
Cyte=cell)
- They are spherical cells with proper nuclei and few
organelles (true cells).
- They have diameter ranging from 7-20µm.
- Their life span varies from days to years.
- The total leucocytic count ranges from 4,000-
11,000/mm3.
- The main function of leucocytes is defense and
immunity.
- They are classified according to the presence of
cytoplasmic granules into granular and non granular.
 Leucocytic Counts
- Leucocytosis (≥11,000mm3) which might be
- Physiological: pregnancy, labor or physical
exercise
- pathological in acute or chronic infections.
Extremely high numbers of leucocytes may
denote leukemia which is malignancy of
leucocytes as a result of uncontrolled division of
precursors in bone marrow.
- Leucopenia (≤4,000/mm3) resulting from
exposure to X-ray,
- starvation, bleeding,
- viral infections, typhoid fever or
- certain antibiotic therapy (chloramphinicol)
 GRANULAR LEUCOCYTES
- They represent the more numerous types of
leucocytes.
- life span is short.
- Their nuclei are single and segmented
- They are characterized by the presence of peripheral
heterochromatin and central euchromatin.
- Cytoplasm contains two types of granules:
A- Non-specific: azurophilic granules (=lysosomes).
B- Specific: special substances related to each subtype
The granulocytes are further subdivided
into three type according to the staining
properties of their granules, namely;
1-Neutrophils: whose granules are
neither
markedly acidophilic nor basophilic.
2-Eosinophils: whose granules are
stained by acidic dyes (e.g. Eosin).
3-Basophils: whose granules are
stained by basic dyes( e.g.Hx).
The non-granular (agranulocytes) leucocytes are
subdividedinto:
1- Lymphocytes
2- Monocyte
 Granular Leucocytes
1. Neutrophils
Percentage: 50 – 70%
Diameter: 10 to 12 micron
LM:
A- Nucleus: is single but segmented, it is formed of 2 to 5
segments connected by fine chromatin threads
B- Cytoplasm: ,mildly basophilic, heavily populated with
granules which are (2 types).
Neutrophil
Non-specific granules Specific granules

Primary lysosomes numerous, fine and pale

containing hydrolytic contain
enzymes phagocytin (bactericidal),
lactoferrin(bacteriostatic),
lysozyme and collagenase
to find a way for
neutrophils to reach the
site of action
 Functions:
1. Phagocytosis of bacteria.
2. Kill bacteria & cause their lysis.
3. Form pus (dead neutrophils).
4. Stimulate bone marrow to form more
neutrophils.
5. Secrete trephone that helps tissue healing and
repair
 Abnormal count :
Increased: Neutrophilia (≥75%) in acute pyogenic
infections as acute tonsilitis.
Decreased: Neutropenia (≤60%) in typhoid fever,
viral infections and T.B.
 2. Eosinophil
Percentage: 1 - 4%
Diameter 12-14 microns.
LM:
A.Nucleus: is bilobed connected by thick chromatin
thread horse shoe-shaped nucleus.
B. Cytoplasm: is mildly basophilic
Non Specific granules: 1ry lysosome
Specific granules: Large refractile eosinophilic
granules granules containing enzymes (histaminase,
sulphatase and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin).
 Functions
1. Termination of allergic reaction:
- Enzymatic degradation of allergic mediators
(histaminase and sulphatase which breakdown
histamine and heparine).
- Phagocytosis of antigen-antibody complexes.
2. Anti parasitic action:
- Cytotoxic effect on parasite basic proteins
(pores).
- Neurotoxic effect on parasite.
Eosinophil
 Abnormal count
Increased: Eosinophilia (≥5%) in
1. allergic reactions as bronchial asthma
2. parasitic infestations as escariasis.
Decreased: Eosinopenia (≤1%) in cortisone therapy
(bone marrow depression).
 3. Basophils
Percentage: 0-1.5%.
Diameter 10-12 microns.
LM:
A.Nucleus:is irregular segmented S shape.
B. Cytoplasm: is mildly basophilic
Non Specific granules: 1ry lysosome
Specific granules: course basophilic granules that may cover
the nucleus.
metachromatic containing allergic mediators(histamine,
heparine, eosinophil chemotactic factor and leukotrins
Basophil
 Functions
1. Initiation of allergic reaction:
- Histamine: vasodilator that decreases blood pressure
causing anaphylaxis.
- Heparin: anticoagulant
. - Eosinophil chemotactic factor brings more
eosinophils to control the extent of allergic reaction.
- Leukotrienes: cause bronchospasm.
2. Weak phagocytic activity.
 Abnormal count

• Basophilia:
1. in allergic reactions
2. parasitic infestations
3. liver cirrhosis
 NON-GRANULAR LEUCOCYTES

• They are much less in number than granulocytes.

• Their life span is longer.
• Their nuclei are single and non-segmented with
peripheral heterochromatin and central
euchromatin.
• They are of two types:
1. Monocytes
2. Lymphocytes
 1. Monocyte
Percentage: 3-8%.
Diameter 13-20 microns.
LM:
A. Nucleus: Nucleus kidney-shaped, large, eccentric and
vesicular
B. Cytoplasm: non-granular pale basophilic with
pseudopodia and frosted glass appearance (many
lysosomes)
Monocyte
 Functions
1. Highly phagocytic activity.
2. Develop into tissue macrophages in all body
organs.
3. Antigen presenting cells that process
(partially digest) some antigens and display
them on their surface to be recognized by T-
lymphocytes
 Abnormal count
Increased: Monocytosis (≥8%)
-in chronic infections as T.B.
-Monocytic leukemia.
Decreased: Monocytopenia (≤2%) as a part of
pancytopenia
 2. Lymphocyte
Percentage: 20-30%.
Diameter 6-15microns.
LM:
A. Nucleus: Rounded condensed nucleus occupying most of
the cell.
B. Cytoplasm: Thin rim of non granular pale basophilic
surrounding the nucleus
 Functions
1. T-Lymphocyte: Cell mediated immunity
2. B-Lymphocyte: Humoral immunity
 Abnormal count
Increased: Lymphocytosis (≥30%)
- physiologically in children.
- in chronic infections as T.B.
- Lymphocytic leukemia.
Decreased: Lymphocytopenia (≤20%) as a part of
pancytopenia
Classification of lymphocytes According to
differences in surface receptors and function,
lymphocytes can be classified into the following
classes
 Stem cells in the
bone marrow

Stay in the bone Migrate to the

Pass to the blood
marrow thymus

Null-cells
B-lymphocytes T-lymphocytes (natural killer
cells
 T-Lymphocytes

Cell mediated immunity

They have many subsets each serving specific function:
1. Cytotoxic cells: (responsible for cell-mediated immunity)
2. Helper cells: helps B-lymphocytes in antigen recognition.
3. Suppressor (regulatory) T-cells:
• They suppress the immune response to self antigens.
• They switch off the immune response to foreign antigens
when other T-cells are done with it.
4. Memory T-cells: on re-exposure to the same antigen, they
can recognize it very quickly and intensively (secondary
immune response).
 B Lymphocytes
• Humoral immunity
• When antigen first binds to the receptors (IgD) on the B
cells, it will be introduced inside the cell by receptor
mediated endocytosis.
• Some fragments of the antigen will bind to molecules on
the B cells which will invite T-helper cells resulting in
activation of the B-lymphocyte.
• - Activated B-lymphocyte secrets interleukin II causing
their proliferation and differentiation to either
plasmablasts then plasma cells (antibody secretion).
• B-memory cells responsible for the rapid response on re-
exposure to the same antigen which is a life-long response.
• Natural Killer (NK) Cells They can identify
transformed cells and destroy them directly.
These include altered body cells (cancerous
cells or virus-infected cells) or infective agents
as fungi and parasites.
• They also secret interferon (universal antiviral
mediator).