Neutrophil

A short-lived white blood cell that engulfs microbes and damaged tissue. Neutrophils are abundant first responders in the innate immune system.

Chemotaxis: Directed cell movement along a chemical concentration gradient. Chemical signals guide neutrophils from blood toward infection or tissue damage.
Hematopoiesis: The formation of blood cells from hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Neutrophils arise through this continuous process in the bone marrow.
Complete blood count: A blood test measuring the numbers and characteristics of major blood-cell types. Its differential count reports circulating neutrophils.
Acute inflammation: A rapid, localized tissue response to infection or injury involving immune cells and blood vessels. Neutrophils are among the earliest and most numerous cells recruited to acute inflammation.
Phagocytosis: Cellular engulfment of particles into membrane-bound compartments for processing or destruction. Neutrophils ingest microbes and debris through this central defense process.
Granulocyte: A white blood cell containing enzyme-rich granules in its cytoplasm. Neutrophils belong to this granule-bearing leukocyte family.
Neutrophilia: An elevated number of neutrophils in the blood. Infections, inflammation, and some drugs can increase neutrophil counts.
Pus: A fluid accumulation of dead immune cells, microbes, and tissue debris at an inflamed site. Many visible pus cells are neutrophils that died after entering infected tissue.
Neutrophil extracellular traps: Webs of DNA and antimicrobial proteins released by neutrophils to trap microbes. This extracellular killing strategy complements neutrophil engulfment.
Bone marrow: Soft tissue inside bones that produces blood cells and supports their development. It supplies circulating neutrophils and stores mature cells for rapid release.

Linked from 27 pages