bazofil

Bazofil, or basophil in English, is a type of white blood cell and a member of the granulocyte family. Basophils circulate briefly in the bloodstream, representing about 0.5% of peripheral leukocytes, and are characterized by a bilobed nucleus and cytoplasmic granules that stain dark blue with basic dyes. The granules contain histamine, heparin, and other mediators involved in inflammation.

Basophils develop in the bone marrow from hematopoietic stem cells and mature there; they express surface FcεRI, the high-affinity receptor for immunoglobulin E, as well as markers such as CD123 and CD203c. They can be recruited to sites of inflammation where they respond to antibody-dependent or cytokine stimuli.

Activation of basophils leads to release of histamine, leukotrienes (C4, D4, E4), and heparin, contributing to vasodilation, increased vascular permeability, and late-phase allergic responses. They also secrete cytokines such as interleukin-4 and interleukin-13, promoting T helper 2 responses and IgE production. Basophils participate in defense against parasites and amplify allergic inflammation; they share many features with tissue-resident mast cells but differ in location and circulating nature.

Abnormally high basophil numbers (basophilia) can occur in allergic diseases and certain myeloproliferative disorders, while basophil activation tests can aid in allergy diagnostics. Basophil function can be studied in flow cytometry using FcεRI and CD123 or other basophil-specific markers.