Chemotactic Information and Courses from MediaLab, Inc.
These are the MediaLab courses that cover Chemotactic and links to relevant pages within the course.
Learn more about laboratory continuing education for medical technologists to earn CE credit for AMT, ASCP, NCA, and state license renewal and recertification. Or get information about laboratory safety and compliance courses that deliver cost-effective OSHA safety training and continuing education to your laboratory's employees.
| Oxidized LDL Physiology Oxidized LDL leads to the release of chemotactic factors from nearby cells; factors which signal leukocytes to migrate to the site. Recall that atherosclerosis is believed to be caused by phagocytic cells such as macrophages, which ingest LDL particles and turn into stationary foam cells. Macrophages have been shown to have increased affinity for oxidized LDL. Thus, oxidation makes LDL more susceptible to phagocytosis and therefore more atherogenic.Since oxidized LDL is more atherogenic than native LDL it makes sense that oxidized LDL may be a cardiovascular risk marker. Indeed, many studies have now correlated increased levels of oxidized LDL with risk of cardiac events. | View Page |
| Monocytes Defense Monocytes provide defense against mycobacteria, fungi, bacteria, protozoa and viruses. They respond to chemotactic factors, phagocytize and kill the microorganisms. | View Page |
| Basophils as Mediators of Inflammatory Responses Basophils serve as mediators of inflammatory responses, especially hypersensitivity reactions.IgE binds to the membrane receptors on basophils and degranulation is initiated.The enzymes released are vasoactive, bronchorestrictive and chemotactic (especially for eosinophils), so basophils seem to play a role in inducing and maintaining allergic reactions.The granules of basophils contain histamine, heparin and peroxidase.After degranulation occurs, basophils can synthesize more granules.The release of large numbers of these granules can cause anaphylactic shock and death. | View Page |
| Basophils A basophil and a small lymphocyte are compared in the same field of the upper photograph, A single basophil is shown in the lower photograph.The cytoplasmic granules of the basophil are larger than the granules of toxic granulation.They contain chemical mediators of immediate hypersensitivity, and are found in the cytoplasm and overlying the nucleus (better seen in the lower photograph). Basophilic granules stain metachromatically with toluidine blue indicating the presence of acid mucopolysaccharide or proteoglycans, both thought to be heparin or heparin-like substances.Basophils are related to tissue mast cells, each involved in hypersensitivity responses and following anaphylactic episodes.Under the stimulation of complement components C3a and C5a, many mediators are released from the basophil granules, including histamine, heparin, and eosinophil chemotactic factors of anaphylaxis, or ECF-A.Basophils are the least common neutrophils in the peripheral blood, comprising 2% or less of the differential count.The presence of large granules of irregular size in basophils and the admixture of eosinophilic granules may indicate dysplastic changes associated with myelodysplastic disorders and leukemia. | View Page |