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Neutrophil, quo vadis?
Jadwiga Jablonska1, Zvi Granot2
1Translational Oncology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany; and jadwiga.jablonska@uk-essen.de.
Journal of Leukocyte Biology
|April 1, 2017
Summary
Neutrophils are versatile immune cells, not homogeneous. New research shows they have diverse roles in disease, necessitating clearer terminology beyond the general term "neutrophil".
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Neutrophils were historically viewed as a uniform cell type with fixed functions in immunity.
- Emerging evidence reveals significant neutrophil heterogeneity and diverse roles in pathological conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge and gaps in neutrophil terminology.
- To emphasize the need for precise nomenclature for neutrophils.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent advances in neutrophil research.
- Analysis of existing and proposed neutrophil classification systems.
Main Results:
- Neutrophils exhibit functional and phenotypic diversity, challenging the traditional homogeneous view.
- Current terminology is insufficient to capture the complexity of neutrophil populations and their functions.
Conclusions:
- The term 'neutrophil' is too broad given their versatility.
- Establishing clear, precise nomenclature is crucial for advancing neutrophil research and understanding their roles in health and disease.