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copic
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Editor:
Dr. med.
H. Jastrow
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Overview basophile granulocytes (Granulocyti basophili; Basophili):
Pages with explanations are linked to the text below the images if available! (Labelling is in German)
basophil granulocyte
(rat)		 vesicles of this basophilic
granulocyte
eosinophil + basophil
granulocyte, spleen (rat)		 detail thereof basophil granulocyte
(spleen, rat)		 detail 1 thereof detail 2
basophil granulocyte 2
(spleen rat)		 basophil granulocyte 3
(spleen rat)		 basophil in a venole
of the lung (rat)
Basophilic granulocytes (Terminologia histologica: Granulocyti basophili or Basophili) belong to the white blood cells (leukocytes) of which they comprise less than 1% as the most rare cell type in white blood count. Their large, spherical basophilic vesicles have diameters of 0.2 to 1.2 µm and are primary lysosomes with densly packed fine particles resembling those of mast cells. The vesicles contain histamine, heparin and peroxidase - for this reason they show a positive peroxidase reaction. This makes them different from vesicles of mast cells which are seen in connective tissue. The vesicles are metachromatic in light microscopic stain and make it difficult to recognise the cell nucleus. Basophilic granulocytes are a little smaller than other granulocytes with mean diameters of 8 - 11 µm. Their cell membrane has receptors for Immunglobulin E (IgE) which is released from plasma cells in the connective tissue. Their reaction to IgE is similar to that of mast cells, i.e. a quick release of vesicles with consequent effects of histamine and heparin. Basophilic granulocytes are thougt to possess only a small amount of proteolytic enzymes and despite the fact that they belong to the microphages phagocytotic processes are virtually never seen. In case of inflammatory processes they release mediator proteins that attrack eosinophilic granulocytes. The half-life of basophili in blood is only 5-6 hours. Basophilic granulocytes may penetrate into connective tissue under allergic reaction processes but are hardly encountered here under normal conditions.

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