Failure to detect functional neutrophil B helper cells in the human spleen

A novel role for human neutrophilic granulocytes was recently described, showing that these cells, upon entering the spleen, can be reprogrammed into a distinct B cell-helper neutrophil phenotype that is capable of eliciting B cell responses such as immunoglobulin secretion, class switch recombination and somatic hypermutation. Using similar protocols, we detected a homogeneous population of CD15(high)CD16(high) neutrophils in fresh human spleen samples, which did not differ in phenotype and function from blood neutrophils. No phenotypic characteristics of costimulatory nature were detected on splenic or circulating neutrophils, nor could we reproduce the immunoglobulin production of splenic B cells in the presence of splenic neutrophils, although B cell function and neutrophil activity were normal. Independent confirmation of a role for NBH cells is required.