Neutrophils terminating a bacteria.
The Neutrophil Division is one of the immune forces in the body, composed of Neutrophils. Neutrophils (neutrocytes/heterophils) are the most abundant type of white blood cells, making up approximately 62% of all white blood cells in a human body. Neutrophils are terminally-differentiated, meaning that once they are mature they cannot divide. They are considered Granulocytes due to the presence of specific granules in their cytoplasm.
Neutrophils are highly trained and disciplined cells who secure the safety of other cells who cannot to protect themselves. Their tasks include patrolling around the blood vessels and terminating any foreign entities on sight.
They are the first responders when pathogens breach the epithelial cells. Each Neutrophil freely patrols the body, and will attempt to eliminate any threats spotted. If unable or outnumbered, they are usually backed up by Macrophages who come later in an infection.
They begin as Myeloblasts, divide into Promyelocytes, divide again into Myelocytes and one last time into Metamyelocytes, after which they mature into Banded Neutrophils, and finally mature into Neutrophils.
Abilities[]
- Wandering Cell - They are able to roam around the body freely.
- Transmigration - They are able to pass through capillary walls in order to get wherever they need to go in the body.
- Phagocytosis - They can "eat" bacteria to either kill or collect information about them.
- Receptor - They have a radar that indicate when there is an antigen nearby, However, the design is often told to be "clunky".
- L-Selectin - A component in their suit that allows them to adhere to surfaces.
- Chemotaxis - Neutrophils are able to communicate to each other using a transceiver.
- Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) - Based on a new study, Neutrophils can shoot out proteins (mostly DNA) in order to trap foreign substances.
Nature[]
Neutrophils are generally kind and selfless cells, with an innate instinct to protect the body. Non-immune cells are often intimidated by their violent behaviors in combat, so they keep distance from each other, and sometimes gain reproach just as other immune cells do. They always says “Die! You filthy germ!” when fighting an antigen.
Because they are able to freely roam the body, they have a good understanding of how it functions. They typically roam alone but regroup when fighting groups of bacteria by communicating with their transceiver. They are born and raised in Red Bone Marrows. As myelocytes, they play swords, tag and hide-and-seek to learn how to work with comrades and battle enemies.
In Cells at Work![]
Uniform[]
All Neutrophils wear the same uniform, which is similar to the modern day military uniform except it only consists of the color white. The jacket has two pockets on the front and two with initials on the shoulder section; the pants have multiple pockets as well. They wear belts that overlay on the jacket and are attached to the knife sheaths strapped on their thighs. They also wear normal laced boots, gloves and a cap printed with '白血球' (Japanese word for 'White Blood Cell') with a plate consisting their number written on it. A receptor that functions like a radar is attached to a vest with a thin water resistant cable under their inner shirt. This receptor is connected and powered by two circuits: the Fc receptor and the C3 receptor. Their vest is made of L-selectin and includes L-selectin Adhesion Molecules that can tether their bodies to the ground. It can be controlled through a switch inside their belt.
Each Neutrophil is armed with six knives at the legs and hip, as well as throwing knives and a transceiver to communicate with comrades. They also carry a hydrolyzing enzyme spray to break down bacterial corpses and other such things. Regardless of the situation, they are not allowed to remove any piece of uniform during work or they would not be able to respond to an emergency.
Known members[]
In Cells at Work! BLACK[]
First body[]
The members of the Neutrophil Division in the first body in Cells at Work! BLACK share identical nature, roles and abilities to that of the original series. However, the entire unit consists of females equipped with katanas instead of knives. They are also taught kendo as myelocytes. In dire situations, the unit can also deploy bazookas and other firearms to combat invading pathogens.
The immune system is often overworked and undermanned, which cause much of their soldiers to come late during an infection. Their uniforms are also more loosely worn and less heavily equipped, showing much of their cleavage and only having one katana and a knife by their thigh. The vest containing their receptor and L-Selectin Adhesion Molecules is worn outside of their shirts, across their lower backs. Lastly, their numbers are sewn inside their shirts, so it cannot be seen under normal circumstances.
Second body[]
The Neutrophil Division in the second body in BLACK is likewise all female, but instead of katanas, they wield cutlasses. Their uniforms also differ, and consist of a long, belted hoodie, shorts, boots, stockings, and a garter belt. Their L-Selectin vest is worn underneath the hoodie, across their chests. As in the first body, this Neutrophil Division is also subject to a weakened immune system. It is often late to arrive when an infection occurs, and its members are prone to becoming exhausted and overwhelmed, but the introduction of neutrophils from the first body into the second body via a blood transfusion helps begin to mitigate this as the foreign neutrophils assimilate to their new home and take on authoritative roles.
Known members[]
Identified neutrophils in BLACK include:
In Cells at Work! Friend[]
Neutrophils in Cells at Work! Friend share identical roles and abilities to that of the original series. However, they are noticeably more casual outside of emergencies, and are rather popular and favored by non-immune cells. They wear a similar uniform to that of the original, with relatively minor cosmetic differences such as a lack of a transceiver pocket (as they use smartphones), higher boots (and subsequently omitted hydrolyzer sprays) and only 4 throwing knives as opposed to 6. In addition, they do not have the "WBC" velcro tag on their sleeve pockets, and do not have a visible patched shoulder seam or center back seam (the back is yoked with a pleat in the middle instead). They also wear their number plates on the right side of their cap when viewed. Interestingly, some of them appear to have eyebrows, in contrast to the original where neutrophils completely lack eyebrows.
Known members[]
Identified neutrophils in Friend include: