What are granulocytes? Granulocytes are white blood cells filled with granules in their cytoplasm. The granules are little sacs of enzymes that are released as one of your body’s defensive mechanisms. The function of these enzymes vary, for instance some are toxic to pathogens, some contribute to the inflammatory response and some are involved in causing an allergic reaction.
Granulocytes are part of the innate, not adaptive, immunity because their response activity is nonspecific. In contrast, adaptive responds with antibodies to specific antigens. So the effectiveness of a granulocyte is limited to a generalized defense.
Granulocytes are the most abundant of all leukocytes and are larger than erythrocytes. These blood cells are produced in your bone marrow and circulate in the bloodstream, where they live a very short life. There are three types of granulocytes; neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils. And each function slightly different in the role they play in the immune system response.
Neutrophils respond to chemicals produced by inflammation, often caused by infectious invaders. However, trauma caused by cold, heat, stress or injury can attract them too. Neutrophils secrete substances that are toxic to bacteria, as well as stimulate phagocytosis process by this granulocyte and macrophages.
Eosinophils respond to chemicals emitted by parasites and an allergic reaction. Basophils toxic enzymes help destroy parasites and tumor cells. They also help regulate the function of other immune cells and promote repair of damaged tissue.
Basophils release histamine and prostaglandin. The combined action of these two substances results in blocking the migration of infectious organisms out of the area and improving the site conditions for more phagocytes to migrate in.
The primary health effect that can result from a short supply of granulocytes is an impaired resistance to a variety of infections.