Redefining Neutrophil Function in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: From Tissue Injury to Immune Resolution

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Gastroenterology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves chronic intestinal inflammation and impaired mucosal healing.
• Neutrophils were traditionally seen as solely pro-inflammatory but possess pro-resolving functions.
• Understanding neutrophil heterogeneity is crucial for IBD pathogenesis and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advances in neutrophil functional heterogeneity in IBD.
• To emphasize the roles of CD177⁺ neutrophils, neutrophil extracellular traps, and efferocytosis.
• To explore mechanisms of immune resolution and mucosal healing involving neutrophils.

Main Methods:

• Narrative mini-review of current literature.
• Critical evaluation of recent studies on neutrophil functions in IBD.
• Focus on preclinical evidence and therapeutic potential.

Main Results:

• Specialized neutrophil subsets balance defense and inflammation, aiding epithelial repair.
• Efficient efferocytosis of neutrophils by macrophages promotes inflammation resolution.
• Impaired efferocytosis sustains chronic inflammation in IBD.

Conclusions:

• Neutrophils are dynamic regulators of tissue injury and immune resolution in IBD.
• Targeting pro-resolving neutrophil pathways and efferocytosis shows therapeutic promise.
• Translating preclinical findings into human therapies for IBD remains challenging.