The biologic significance of neutrophil regulatory mechanisms

Self-regulation of feedback control are essential features of most complex biological systems. Neutrophil leukocytes possess potent oxidative and lysomal products for the killing of invading microbes. These toxic products are also capable of causing auto-oxidative injury and tissue damage. Indeed, neutrophils have been implicated as mediators of tissue injury in a number of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. It is proposed that a sophisticated and complex regulatory mechanism for neutrophil function is operative in healthy individuals. Much of the evidence for this is tentative and fragmentary, but a logical framework is beginning to emerge.