Basophils are a type of white blood cell that plays a vital role in keeping the immune SYSTEM functioning.
When a person has basophilia, the increase in white blood cells may be due to more serious causes.
They also produce compounds that co-ordinate immune responses, INCLUDING histamine and serotonin that induce inflammation, HEPARIN that prevents blood clotting, although there are LESS than that found in mast cell granules.