Possible mechanisms of neutrophil activation in Behçet's disease

Behçet's disease (BD) is a systemic inflammatory disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of acute inflammation consisting mainly of neutrophil infiltration around blood vessels in affected tissues. BD probably occurs due to neutrophil-based innate immune responses orchestrated by a complex interplay among gamma-delta T lymphocytes, natural killer T cells, monocytes and Th17 lymphocytes in which type-I interferon is possibly a key element for inflammatory downregulation. However, strong evidence is still scarce. This article compiles the literature in an attempt to summarize the possible mechanisms by which neutrophils are activated in BD and suggests directions for future research.