Which type of WBC is involved in allergic responses?

The type of white blood cell involved in allergic responses is the basophil. Basophils play a key role in the immune system, particularly in allergic reactions. They release histamines and other chemicals when activated by allergens, which contributes to the symptoms of allergies, such as inflammation, itching, and bronchoconstriction.

Basophils are part of the body's defense mechanism against parasites, but their primary association is with allergic responses and hypersensitivity reactions. Their granules contain inflammatory mediators, including histamine and heparin, which are released upon engagement with allergens.

Understanding this role helps clarify how the immune system responds to allergens and why basophils are crucial in processes such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, and other atopic diseases. Other types of white blood cells, while important in various aspects of immunity, do not primarily function in the context of allergic responses. For instance, neutrophils are primarily involved in combating bacterial infections and inflammation, while eosinophils also take part in parasitic infections and can contribute to allergic responses but are not the predominant cells in initial allergic reactions. Monocytes, on the other hand, differentiate into macrophages and dendritic cells, having a more significant role in phagocytosis