White blood cells, also known as leukocytes, are critical components of the immune system. This blog discusses the functions and how to separate them gently using advanced cell separation technologies.
White blood cell, also known as leukocyte or white corpuscle, lacks hemoglobin, has a nucleus, is motile, and defends the body against infection and disease. We will discuss below how Pluribead and Plurispin, one of the best Cell Separation technologies help in rapid white blood cell isolation.
Characteristics of white blood cells
The bone marrow produces 60 to 70% of the white cells in adults (i.e., the granulocytes). The lymphocytes are produced by lymphatic tissues, specifically the thymus, spleen, and lymph nodes (comprising 20 to 30 percent of the white cells).
Monocytes are produced by the reticuloendothelial tissues of the spleen, liver, lymph nodes, and other organs (4 to 8 percent of the white cells). Each cubic millimeter of blood in a healthy adult human contains between 4,500 and 11,000 white blood cells. White cell number fluctuates throughout the day, with lower values obtained during rest and higher values obtained during exercise.
White blood cells’ survival as living cells is dependent on their constant production of energy. The chemical pathways used are more complex than those used by red cells, but they are similar to those used by other tissue cells. Protein can be synthesized by white cells that have a nucleus and can produce ribonucleic acid (RNA). Their survival as living cells is dependent on their continuous production of energy.
The chemical pathways used are more complex than those used by red blood cells, but they are similar to those used by other tissue cells. Protein can be synthesized by white cells that have a nucleus and can produce ribonucleic acid (RNA). White cells are highly differentiated for their specialized functions, and they do not divide (mitosis) in the bloodstream; however, some retain the ability to divide.
White cells are classified into three major classes based on their appearance under a light microscope: lymphocytes, granulocytes, and monocytes, each of which performs slightly different functions.
Major classes of white blood cells
Lymphocytes, which are further subdivided into B cells and T cells, are in charge of recognizing foreign agents and removing them from the host. B lymphocytes secrete antibodies, which are proteins that bind to and destroy foreign microorganisms in body tissues.
T cells typically recognize virally infected or cancerous cells and destroy them, or they act as helper cells to aid B cell antibody production. Natural killer (NK) cells are also included in this category because of their inherent ability to kill a wide range of target cells. Lymphocytes account for 25 to 33 percent of white blood cells in a healthy person.
Granulocytes, the most numerous white cells, rid the body of large pathogenic organisms such as protozoans or helminths, and they also play important roles in allergy and other forms of inflammation. Many cytoplasmic granules, or secretory vesicles, are found in these cells and contain potent chemicals that aid in immune responses. They also have multilobed nuclei, which is why they are often referred to as polymorphonuclear cells.
Granulocytes are classified into three types based on how their granules take up dye in the laboratory: neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils. Neutrophils are the most numerous granulocytes, accounting for 50 to 80 percent of all white cells. They are frequently one of the first cell types to arrive at an infection site, where they engulf and destroy the infectious microorganisms via a process known as phagocytosis.
Eosinophils and basophils, as well as mast cells, are typically the last to arrive. Basophil and mast cell granules contain a variety of chemicals, including histamine and leukotrienes, that are important in inducing allergic inflammatory responses. Eosinophils kill parasites while also modulating inflammatory responses.
Monocytes, which account for 4 to 8% of all white blood cells in the blood, migrate from the blood to infection sites, where they differentiate further into macrophages. These cells are scavengers that phagocytose whole or killed microorganisms and are thus effective at direct pathogen destruction and cleanup of cellular debris from infection sites.
The main phagocytic cells in the body are neutrophils and macrophages, but macrophages are much larger and live much longer than neutrophils. Some macrophages play an important role as antigen-presenting cells, which phagocytoze and degrade microbes before presenting fragments of these organisms to T lymphocytes, activating the specific acquired immune response.
Our Innovative Cell Separation Products- Pluribead and Plurispin
PluriBead technology, if you’re looking for the most efficient way for cell enrichment, provides an exceptionally gentle method that preserves the physiology and health of delicate immune cells.
Pluribead and Plurispin can either be used to purify samples separated by other methods or as the primary method. Our products are unique in that they combine high purity, sample viability, and throughput, obviating the need for additional purification steps. They lack harsh magnetic fields and fast-moving liquids, both of which could endanger cell health and physiology.
PluriBead
Using positive selection, when the specific antibody will bind directly to the cells, all undesirable cells will be separated from the labeled and desired cells during the subsequent enrichment steps because they are all unbound. A cell strainer is the simplest way to keep labeled cells in place when coupled to a solid phase. Any type of sample material may be used, including PBMC, secretion or excretion material, whole blood, buffy coat, spleen, liver, and so on.
Note : Know More About Pluribead Here.
Negative cell selection eliminates all unwanted cells. Unlike positive cell enrichment, all cells will be bound to specific antibodies and separated, with the exception of the cells of interest. While the undesirable cells are extracted from the sample, the desired cells remain unbound and “untouched” by antibodies or beads.
PluriSpin isolates viable, untouched, and highly purified cells in a single step without using magnets or columns. As a result, activated cells are less susceptible to damage.
Traditional cell enrichment methods subject samples to intense mechanical or magnetic forces and require the use of expensive equipment, whereas our Cell Separation products are gentle, cost-effective, and easy to use. Furthermore, the techniques enable precise, scalable cell isolation in small and large research labs alike.
We are committed to advancing scientific knowledge in order to improve human health by overcoming the limitations of separation technology. If you’re having trouble isolating rare cell types, we’d like to hear from you. Contact one of our experts today to discuss your work, the issues you’re experiencing, and whether there is a way to overcome the obstacles you’re facing. We are excited to hear from you and become your cell separation partner.
Reference:
Science Direct
Britannica
NCBI
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