Current Views on the Role of Neutrophil Granulocyte System

At present there is no doubt concerning the capability of neutrophil granulocytes for cooperative interaction with other immunocompetent cells and substances of different nature, which as a whole provides a wide variety of forms of interaction and makes it possible for neutrophils to occupy key positions in the regulation of the functions of other cells both by direct contact and by secretion of regulatory mediators - neutrophilokines. Neutrophils realize their functional capabilities on a background of stimulating actions in the form of intensification of migrational, adhesive capability, readjustment of metabolism for activation of phagocytic and secretory function. It is also known that many cytokines support the viability of neutrophils, preventing their apoptosis, progressing proportional to the degree of severity of the purulent-septic process. The cytokine-producing function of the neutrophils is thereby necessary for the autocrine and paracrine regulating interaction of neutrophils with surrounding cells. Together with the established role of neutrophils during inflammatory infectious processes, their capability of expressed cytotoxic action in respect to foreign and pathologically changed cells is also known. Data on a study of the neutrophil system in healthy and sick subjects provides the possibility to consider them as the main effector cells of not only inflammatory protective reactions of the organism, but also as functionally relevant effector and regulatory structural units in the case of many other forms of immune protection of the organism against viruses, bacteria, protozoa, alloantigens, allergens both at the general and at the local level.