Neutrophil programming dynamics and its disease relevance

• Published in: 中国科学：生命科学英文版 no. 11; pp. 1168 - 1177
• Main Author: Taojing Ran Shuo Geng Liwu Li
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2017
• ISSN: 1674-7305; 1869-1889

Neutrophils are traditionally considered as first responders to infection and provide antimicrobial host defense. However, recent advances indicate that neutrophils are also critically involved in the modulation of host immune environments by dynamically adopting distinct functional states. Functionally diverse neutrophil subsets are increasingly recognized as critical components mediating host pathophysiology. Despite its emerging significance, molecular mechanisms as well as functional relevance of dynamically programmed neutrophils remain to be better defined. The increasing complexity of neutrophil functions may require integrative studies that address programming dynamics of neutrophils and their pathophysiological relevance. This review aims to provide an update on the emerging topics of neutrophil programming dynamics as well as their functional relevance in diseases.