Mature Basophil
Peripheral blood smear, Wright-Giemsa stain, 1000x
Description:
The maturation process of basophils is the same as that of neutrophils and eosinophils except the mature (circulating basophil) usually has only two lobes and the chromatin filaments are often not visible. The number of basophilic granules varies and usually overlie and partially obscure the nucleus. They are large and purplish-black in color. The basophil is the least represented nucleated cell in the bone marrow and peripheral blood, usually less than 2%.
Function:
The major function of basophils is in the immediate-type hypersensitivity reactions such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, and urticaria (hives). They have high-affinity receptors for IgE as well as receptors for IgG, complement and histamine. The basophilic granules are rich in histamine, heparin, chondroitin sulfate, peroxidase, platelet activating factor, and other molecules. Unlike mast cells, they contain only small amounts of tryptase.
Trafficking:
After release from the bone marrow, mature basophils egress into tissues and organs in response to stimuli, but do not differentiate into tissue mast cells. The overall survival of mast cells after release from the bone marrow is in the order of 2 weeks.
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Charles
E.
Hess,
M.D.,FACP [more information]
Professor of Internal Medicine
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