Blasts

In the realm of medicine, especially hematology, blasts refer to immature forms of blood cells. These precursor cells undergo various stages of differentiation to become fully mature and functional blood cells.

Stem cells maturing into blood cells and precursor cells

Cytology of precursor (blast) cell

Overview

Blasts represent the earliest stages of blood cell development. They are present in the bone marrow, the primary site of blood cell production in humans. These cells undergo a series of maturational changes, giving rise to different types of blood cells like red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and platelets (thrombocytes).

Types of Blasts

There are several types of blasts corresponding to different lineages of blood cells:

• Erythroblasts: Precursors to erythrocytes or red blood cells.
• Myeloblasts: Ancestor cells of the myeloid lineage, which eventually differentiate into cells like neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes, and macrophages.
• Lymphoblasts: Progenitor cells that give rise to lymphocytes, including B cells, T cells, and NK cells.
• Megakaryoblasts: Immature cells that further develop into megakaryocytes, the cells responsible for platelet production.

Clinical Significance

The presence of an excessive number of blasts outside the bone marrow, especially in the peripheral blood, can be indicative of certain medical conditions or disorders:

• Leukemia: A type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase in white blood cells. The presence of blasts in the blood is a hallmark feature of some types of leukemia.
• Myelodysplastic syndromes: Disorders caused by poorly formed blood cells or ones that don't function properly. An increased percentage of blasts in the bone marrow can be a diagnostic criterion.
• Bone marrow biopsy: This diagnostic test can be used to assess the number and morphology of blasts, aiding in the diagnosis of various hematological disorders.

See Also

• Hematopoiesis
• Bone marrow
• Blood cell
• Complete blood count

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