Leukocyte Development, Kinetics and Function

- Granulocytes are a group of leukocytes whose cytoplasm is filled with granules with
differing staining characteristics and whose nuclei are segmented or lobulated.
- Individually they include eosinophils, with granules containing basic proteins that stain
with acid stains such as eosin; basophils, with granules that are acidic and stain with basic
stains such as methylene blue; and neutrophils, with granules that react with both acid
and basic stains, which gives them a pink to lavender color.
- Mononuclear cells are categorized into monocytes and lymphocytes. These cells have
nuclei that are not segmented but are round, oval, indented, or folded.
- The overall function of leukocytes is in mediating immunity, either innate (nonspecific),
as in phagocytosis by neutrophils, or specific (adaptive), as in the production of
antibodies by lymphocytes and plasma cells.
- The term kinetics refers to the movement of cells through developmental stages, into the
circulation, and from the circulation to the tissues and includes the time spent in each
phase of the cell’s life.
Granulocyte
Neutrophils
Neutrophil Development

- HSCs, Common Myeloid Progenitors (CMP), and Granulocyte-Monocyte Progenitors

(GMP) are not seen in light microscope and Romanowsky staining.
- Myeloblasts: measures 14 to 20 mm in diameter and has 3 types: Type I, II, and III
myeloblasts.
- Type I Myeloblast: Has NC ratio of 8:1 to 4:1, slightly basophilic cytoplasm, and 2-4
nucleoli present. Its granules is not visible in light microscope or Romanowsky staining.
- Type II Myeloblast: