[HTML][HTML] Conquering neutrophils

S Döhrmann, JN Cole, V Nizet - PLoS pathogens, 2016 - journals.plos.org
S Döhrmann, JN Cole, V Nizet
PLoS pathogens, 2016journals.plos.org
Neutrophils are the most abundant innate immune cells, making up 50%–70% of all
leukocytes. Neutrophils are the “first responders” of host defense, preventing infections by
deploying sophisticated antimicrobial strategies acting in concert. As neutrophils are short-
living cells, they are continuously produced and released from the bone marrow in
abundance (> 1011 per day). Circulating neutrophils are terminally differentiated, fully
equipped with pre-stored antimicrobial molecules [1], and also contribute to shaping …
Neutrophils are the most abundant innate immune cells, making up 50%–70% of all leukocytes. Neutrophils are the “first responders” of host defense, preventing infections by deploying sophisticated antimicrobial strategies acting in concert. As neutrophils are short-living cells, they are continuously produced and released from the bone marrow in abundance (> 1011 per day). Circulating neutrophils are terminally differentiated, fully equipped with pre-stored antimicrobial molecules [1], and also contribute to shaping adaptive immune responses, as reviewed recently [2].
Neutrophils present challenges and limitations to experimentation, as they are short-lived, non-dividing, and genetically non-modifiable. Furthermore, no adequate cell lines exist that fully recapitulate the cellular and physiological functions of neutrophils, and murine neutrophils differ in number and (re) activity from their human counterparts. On the plus side, neutrophils can be relatively easily and quickly purified in large quantities from the blood of healthy human volunteers.
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