What is the function of neutrophil granulocytes?
Neutrophil granulocytes are an important part of the innate immune system. They are largely dormant in the bloodstream. When foreign bodies or pathogens enter the body, substances are released that attract the neutrophils. These then leave the bloodstream and enter the tissue. There they take on their task as scavenger cells, so-called phagocytes: they absorb pathogens and destroy them.
Neutrophil granulocytes: classification
Depending on the shape of their nuclei, a distinction is made between rod-nucleated and segment-nucleated neutrophils: mature granulocytes have a nucleus consisting of three to four parts and are therefore called segment-nucleated. Rod-nucleated granulocytes, on the other hand, have an elongated nucleus. These are the immature form of neutrophil granulocytes. They usually account for only up to five percent of all cells in the differential blood count.
Normal values for neutrophil granulocytes depend on age and sex. Values are expressed as a percentage (proportion of total leukocyte count):
|
NEUTROPHIL GRANULOCYTES |
||
|
Age |
female |
male |
|
up to 14 days |
15,2 – 66,1 % |
20,2 – 46,2 % |
|
15 – 30 days |
10,6 – 57,3 % |
14,0 – 54,6 % |
|
31 to 60 days |
8,9 – 68,2 % |
10,2 – 48,7 % |
|
61 to 180 days |
14,1 – 76,0 % |
10,9 – 47,8 % |
|
0.5 to 1 year |
16,9 – 74,0 % |
17,5 – 69,5 % |
|
2 to 5 years |
22,4 – 69,0 % |
22,4 – 69,0 % |
|
6 to 11 years |
29,8 – 71,4 % |
28,6 – 74,5 % |
|
12 to 17 years |
32,5 – 74,7 % |
|
|
from 18 years |
34,0 – 71,0 % |
34,0 – 67,9 % |
Normal values for rod-nucleated granulocytes are also expressed as a percentage (proportion of total leukocyte count):
|
Age |
Standard values for rod nuclei |
|
1 to 2 days |
0,0 – 18,0 % |
|
3 to 9 days |
0,0 – 15,0 % |
|
10 to 13 days |
0,0 – 14,0 % |
|
14 days to 5 months |
0,0 – 12,0 % |
|
6 to 12 months |
0,0 – 8,0 % |
|
1 to 13 years |
3,0 – 6,0 % |
|
from 14 years |
3,0 – 5,0 % |
The standard values for segment-nucleated granulocytes are also given as a percentage (proportion of total leukocyte count):
|
Age |
|
|
up to 12 months |
17,0 – 60,0 % |
|
1 to 13 years |
25,0 – 60,0 % |
|
from 14 years |
50,0 – 70,0 % |
When are neutrophil granulocytes elevated?
- Viral infection, fungal or parasitic infection
- Heart or lung infarction
- Pregnancy
- Acidification of the body (acidosis)
- hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland)
- malignant hematological diseases (“blood cancer”) such as acute myeloid leukemia
- physical recovery phase after bone marrow damage (for example, after radiation or chemotherapy)
When are neutrophil granulocytes decreased?
The lack of neutrophils is called neutropenia and is very dangerous. Without the granulocytes, the body is defenseless against invading pathogens, and infections cannot be fought as well.
If neutrophils are decreased, this can have both congenital and acquired causes. For example, rare congenital disorders with neutropenia include:
- congenital disorders of granulocyte formation
- Fanconi anemia
- congenital immunodeficiency diseases
Causes of neutropenia acquired later in life include:
- autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus
- Infections such as influenza or varicella (chickenpox, shingles)
- Bone marrow diseases such as plasmacytoma
- Taking certain medications (for example, proton pump inhibitors, antibiotics, or anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen)
