An increase in which granulocyte signals a hypersensitivity state?

An increase in which granulocyte signals a hypersensitivity state?

• A. Neutrophil
• B. Basophil
• C. Eosinophil
• D. Lymphocyte

Answer: (B)

In allergic and hypersensitivity reactions, basophils are key players because they release histamine and other mediators when activated by allergen-IgE interactions. Basophils have high-affinity receptors for IgE; when an allergen cross-links those IgE molecules on the basophil surface, the cell degranulates, sending histamine into the bloodstream and surrounding tissues. This causes the classic immediate symptoms of hypersensitivity—vasodilation, increased vascular permeability, and smooth muscle responses. So an increase in basophils signals that a hypersensitivity process is underway. Neutrophils are more about acute bacterial inflammation, lymphocytes relate to adaptive immune responses, and eosinophils are involved in parasite defense and later or separate aspects of allergic inflammation, but basophils are the primary indicators of the immediate hypersensitivity state.

In allergic and hypersensitivity reactions, basophils are key players because they release histamine and other mediators when activated by allergen-IgE interactions. Basophils have high-affinity receptors for IgE; when an allergen cross-links those IgE molecules on the basophil surface, the cell degranulates, sending histamine into the bloodstream and surrounding tissues. This causes the classic immediate symptoms of hypersensitivity—vasodilation, increased vascular permeability, and smooth muscle responses. So an increase in basophils signals that a hypersensitivity process is underway. Neutrophils are more about acute bacterial inflammation, lymphocytes relate to adaptive immune responses, and eosinophils are involved in parasite defense and later or separate aspects of allergic inflammation, but basophils are the primary indicators of the immediate hypersensitivity state.