Granulocyte 563086 222778563 2008-07-01T01:55:54Z AlnoktaBOT 3096998 robot Modifying: [[th:แกรนูโลไซต์]] [[Image:pBEosinophil.jpg|framed|Eosinophil granulocyte]] [[Image:pBBasophil.jpg|framed|Basophil granulocyte]] '''Granulocytes''' are a category of [[white blood cell]]s characterised by <!--not only illogical but not necessarily true as stated: "the fact that all types have differently [[staining (biology)|staining]]-->the presence of [[Granule (cell biology)|granule]]s in their [[cytoplasm]].<ref>{{eMedicineDictionary|granulocyte}}</ref> They are also called '''polymorphonuclear leukocytes''' ('''PMN''' or '''PML''') because of the varying shapes of the [[cell nucleus|nucleus]], which is usually lobed into three segments. In common parlance, the term ''polymorphonuclear leukocyte'' often refers specifically to [[neutrophil granulocyte]]s,<ref>{{eMedicineDictionary|polymorphonuclear+leukocyte}}</ref> the most abundant of the granulocytes. '''Granulocytes''' or PMN are released from the bone marrow by the regulatory [[Complement system|complement]] proteins. ==Classification== There are three types of granulocytes, distinguished by their appearance under [[Wright's stain]]: * [[Neutrophil granulocyte]]s * [[Eosinophil granulocyte]]s * [[Basophil granulocyte]]s. Their names are derived from their [[staining (biology)|staining]] characteristics; for example, the most abundant granulocyte is the [[neutrophil granulocyte]], which has neutrally-staining [[cytoplasm]]ic granules. Other white blood cells which are not granulocytes ("[[agranulocyte]]s") are mainly [[lymphocyte]]s and [[monocyte]]s. ==Toxic materials produced or released== Examples of toxic materials produced or released by [[degranulation]] by granulocytes on the ingestion of microorganism includes: * Low pH [[Vesicle (biology)|vesicles]] (3.5-4.0) * Toxic [[oxygen]]-derived products (e.g. [[superoxide]], [[hydrogen peroxide]], [[hydroxy]] radicals, singlet oxygen, [[hypohalite]]) * Toxic [[nitrogen]] oxides ([[nitric oxide]]) * [[Antimicrobial]] agents ([[Defensin]]s and [[cationic]] proteins) * [[Enzyme]]s **[[Lysozyme]]: dissolves cell walls of some [[gram positive bacteria]] **[[Acid hydrolase]]s: further digest bacteria ==Pathology== '''Granulocytopenia''' is an abnormally low concentration of granulocytes in the blood. This condition reduces the body's resistance to many infections. Closely-related terms include [[agranulocytosis]] (no granulocytes at all) and [[neutropenia]] (deficiency of [[neutrophil granulocyte]]s). [[Blood transfusion|Transfusion]] of granulocytes would have been a solution to the problem. However, granulocytes live only ~10 hours in the circulation (for days in [[spleen]] or other tissue), which gives a very short-lasting effect. In addition, there are many complications of such procedure. A [[granuloma]] is a [[tumor]] containing granulocytes, and a "granulomatosis" is a [[necrotizing]] granuloma. There is usually a granulocyte [[chemotactic]] defect in individuals who suffer from [[insulin dependent diabetes mellitus]]. ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Illu blood cell lineage.jpg|Blood cell lineage Image:Hematopoiesis (human) diagram.png|Hematopoiesis </gallery> ==See also== * [[Blood count]] * [[White blood cell]] ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * {{MeshName|Granulocytes}} {{Blood}} {{immune system}} [[Category:leukocytes]] [[Category:cell biology]] [[ar:خلية محببة]] [[cs:Granulocyt]] [[da:Granulocyt]] [[de:Granulozyt]] [[es:Granulocito]] [[eo:Granulocito]] [[fr:Granulocyte]] [[it:Granulocita]] [[he:גרנולוציט]] [[nl:Granulocyt]] [[no:Granulocytter]] [[pl:Granulocyt]] [[ru:Гранулоциты]] [[sq:Granulociti]] [[sk:Granulocyt]] [[sr:Гранулоцит]] [[fi:Granulosyytti]] [[sv:Granulocyt]] [[th:แกรนูโลไซต์]] [[tr:Granülosit]]