Neutrophils

Blood, when viewed under a compound binocular microscope, is composed of many cells. Plasma, erythrocytes, thrombocytes, and platelets are just some of these cells. A compound binocular microscope can be used in studying these different blood cells. Through the use of microscopes such as a compound binocular microscope or other high-powered microscopes, red blood cells and white blood cells can be differentiated and studied further.

Neutrophils, according to the original article, is a key component of the body’s immune system and the most common and highly produced white blood cell. Neutrophils are manufactured and destroyed by the body in about 100 billions. They can only live for about eight hours and eat bacterias through the process of phagocytosis. Without neutrophils, the human body will be threatened with infection that can be fatal.

For years, scientists have been intrigued on how the human body can maintain a constant number of neutrophils in the blood. In the original article, the researchers of University of Virginia Health System has proffered on answer using laboratory mice.

They found a new type of T lymphocyte in the lymph nodes of the gut, a Tn cell responsible for regulating neutrophils and the main means of providing body immunity. These primitive cells are known to make one protein, cytokine which is mostly produced by white blood cells. It is called the IL-17, and also controlled by another cytokine, IL-23 responsible for regulating neutrophils in the bone marrow.

The prospects for the use of this new discovery are for treating neutropenia with new therapies and for treating inflammatory and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

Neutrophils are considered watchers of the presence of bacteria for which the body makes cytokine that drives neutrophils productions. When neutrophils die, they are absorbed by other cells, thereby down regulating IL-23 productions. In this way, the body is actually a sensor of the number of neutrophils that went and where they need to go.

The impact of this type of study can be greatly felt in the field of medicine. Patients that suffer from neutropenia and other auto-immune diseases will have a ray of hope from the results of this study. Further research and experiments about neutrophils with the use of microscopes can usher new developments and medical breakthroughs in treating these diseases.