Basophils are a rare type of white blood cell that release histamine and heparin in response to infection or inflammation. They are part of the granulocyte family and originate from stem cells in the bone marrow. Basophil count varies and high levels have been observed in people with asthma.
Basophils are a type of white blood cell. These cells are extremely rare and make up less than 100% of the white blood cells in the body at any given time. They are also not very well understood, despite the best efforts of researchers interested in blood components. While the basic mechanism of basophils and what they do in the body has been studied, many researchers suspect that there is more to these cells than meets the eye, and several studies have been conducted that probe the details of these cells to learn more about of them .
These cells are part of a family of white blood cells known as granulocytes, so named for the characteristic granules of material within their cell membranes. These granules contain information relevant to the immune system and compounds that the immune system uses when it responds to an infection or inflammation. Among other things, these cells can release histamine and heparin in response to a suspected infection. The release of the granules is known as degranulation.
The name “basophil” is a reference to the fact that these cells take dyes and stain very easily, turning a vivid purple when stained with the basic dyes used to prepare specimens for study and identification. The stain makes the basophils easier to see, because they stand out from a blood sample, although the stain obscures the cell’s internal structures. Each basophil has a bilobed nucleus, surrounded by the tiny granules it carries.
Basophils originate in the bone marrow, where they are created from stem cells. They circulate throughout the body in the bloodstream, with the ability to pass into various tissues as needed. When an infectious agent is detected by the immune system, the cells respond, along with numerous other types of white blood cells. Researchers believe that in addition to helping at the site of an infection, these cells also help the body build immunity by storing information that can be used by T cells.
The normal basophil count may vary depending on the patient and the situation. In a healthy person, the count is usually very low. In someone with an active infection or allergic response, the number of basophils in the blood may increase, revealing the presence of an infection. High levels of basophils have also been observed in people with asthma, which may be due to the chronic inflammation of the lungs experienced by many asthma sufferers.
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