Types

There are several different types of white blood cells. They all have many things in common, but
are all different. A major distinguishing feature of some leukocytes is the presence ofgranules;
white blood cells are often characterized as granulocytes or agranulocytes:

 Granulocytes (polymorphonuclear leukocytes): leukocytes characterised by the presence

of differently staining granules in their cytoplasm when viewed under light microscopy.
These granules are membrane-bound enzymes which primarily act in the digestion
of endocytosed particles. There are three types of granulocytes: neutrophils, basophils,
and eosinophils, which are named according to their staining properties.

 Agranulocytes (mononuclear leucocytes): leukocytes characterized by the apparent

absence of granules in their cytoplasm. Although the name implies a lack of granules these
cells do contain non-specific azurophilic granules, which are lysosomes[4]. The cells
include lymphocytes, monocytes, and macrophages.[5]
[edit]Overview table

Approx.
Microsco %
Diamet
pic in Nucleus Granule Lifetime[
Type Diagram er Main targets[3]
Appeara adults[6] [3]
s[3] 6]
(μm) [6]
nce See also:
Blood values

6 hours–
fine,
few days
faintly
Neutroph 54–  bacteria multilob (days
10–12 pink
il 62%[5] ed in spleena
 fungi (H&E
nd other
Stain)
tissue)

full of 8–12
 parasites pink- days
Eosinoph
1–6% 10–12 bi-lobed orange (circulate
il  in allergic reac (H&E for 4–5
tions Stain) hours)

bi-lobed
 in allergic reac ortri- large
Basophil <1% 12–15 ?
blue
tions lobed
Lymphoc 25–33% 7–8 deeply NK- weeks to
yte  B cells: staining, cells and years
various pathog eccentri Cytotoxi
c c
ens (CD8+)
T-cells [7
 T cells: ]

 CD4+
(helpe
r):
extrac
ellular
bacteri
a
broke
n
down
into
peptid
es
presen
ted by
MHC
class 2
molec
ule.

 CD8+
cytoto
xic T
cells:
virus-
infecte
d
and tu
mor ce
lls.

 γδ T
 cells:

 Natural killer
cells: virus-
infected
and tumor cell
s.
Monocytes migrate
from the bloodstream
Monocyt to other tissues and kidney hours to
2–8% 14–17
e differentiate into tissue shaped days
resident macrophages
or dendritic cells.
Phagocytosis (engulfm
ent and digestion) of
cellular debris activated:
21 andpathogens, and days
Macroph none
(human stimulation immature
age
)[8] of lymphocytes and : months
other immune cells to years
that respond to the
pathogen.
Main function is as
an antigen-presenting similar to
Dendritic
cell (APC) that macropha
cells
activates T ges
lymphocytes.
[edit]Neutrophil
Main article: Neutrophil

Neutrophils defend against bacterial or fungal infection and other very small inflammatory
processes that are usually first responders to microbial infection; their activity and death in large
numbers forms pus. They are commonly referred to as polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes,
although technically PMN refers to all granulocytes. They have a multilobed nucleus which may
appear like multiple nuclei, hence the name polymorphonuclear leukocyte. The cytoplasm may
look transparent because of fine granules that are faintly pink. Neutrophils are very active in
phagocytosing bacteria and are present in large amount in the pus of wounds. These cells are
not able to renew their lysosomes used in digesting microbes and die after having
phagocytosed a few pathogens.[citation needed] Most common cell seen in acute inflammation, come
in and kill foreign substance.
[edit]Eosinophil
Main article: Eosinophil

Eosinophils primarily deal with parasitic infections and an increase in them may indicate such.
Eosinophils are also the predominant inflammatory cells in allergic reactions. The most
important causes of eosinophilia include allergies such as asthma, hay fever, and hives; and
also parasitic infections. Generally their nucleus is bi-lobed. The cytoplasm is full of granules
which assume a characteristic pink-orange color with eosin stain.
[edit]Basophil
Main article: Basophil granulocyte

Basophils are chiefly responsible for allergic and antigen response by releasing the
chemical histamine causing inflammation. The nucleus is bi- or tri-lobed, but it is hard to see
because of the number of coarse granules which hide it. They are characterized by their large
blue granules.
[edit]Lymphocyte
Main article: Lymphocyte

Lymphocytes are much more common in the lymphatic system. Lymphocytes are distinguished
by having a deeply staining nucleus which may be eccentric in location, and a relatively small
amount of cytoplasm. The blood has three types of lymphocytes:

 B cells: B cells make antibodies that bind to pathogens to enable their destruction. (B cells
not only make antibodies that bind to pathogens, but after an attack, some B cells will retain
the ability to produce an antibody to serve as a 'memory' system.)

 T cells:

 CD4+ (helper) T cells co-ordinate the immune response and are important in the
defense against intracellular bacteria. In acute HIV infection, these T cells are the main
index to identify the individual's immune system activity. Research has shown [9] that
CD8+ cells are also another index to identify human's immune activity.

 CD8+ cytotoxic T cells are able to kill virus-infected and tumor cells.

 γδ T cells possess an alternative T cell receptor as opposed to CD4+ and CD8+ αβ T

cells and share characteristics of helper T cells, cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells.

 Natural killer cells: Natural killer cells are able to kill cells of the body which are displaying a
signal to kill them, as they have been infected by a virus or have become cancerous.
[edit]Monocyte
Main article: Monocyte
Monocytes share the "vacuum cleaner" (phagocytosis) function of neutrophils, but are much
longer lived as they have an additional role: they present pieces of pathogens to T cells so that
the pathogens may be recognized again and killed, or so that an antibody response may be
mounted. Monocytes eventually leave the bloodstream to become tissue macrophages which
remove dead cell debris as well as attacking microorganisms. Neither of these can be dealt with
effectively by the neutrophils. Unlike neutrophils, monocytes are able to replace their lysosomal
contents and are thought to have a much longer active life. They have the kidney shaped
nucleus and are typically agranulated. They also possess abundant cytoplasm.

Once monocytes move from the bloodstream out into the body tissues, they undergo changes
(differentiate) allowing phagocytosis and are then known as macrophages.