Eosinophils and Neutrophils-Molecular Differences Revealed by Spontaneous Raman, CARS and Fluorescence Microscopy.

Leukocytes are a part of the immune system that plays an important role in the host's defense against viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. Among the human leukocytes, two granulocytes, neutrophils (Ne) and eosinophils (EOS) play an important role in the innate immune system. For that purpose, eosinophils and neutrophils contain specific granules containing protoporphyrin-type proteins such as eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) and myeloperoxidase (MPO), respectively, which contribute directly to their anti-infection activity.

Raman imaging highlights biochemical heterogeneity of human eosinophils versus human eosinophilic leukaemia cell line.

Eosinophils are acidophilic granulocytes that develop in the bone marrow. Although their population contributes only to approximately 1-6% of all leucocytes present in the human blood, they possess a wide range of specific functions. They play a key role in inflammation-regulating processes, when their numbers can increased to above 5 × 10 /l of peripheral blood.