Open AccessThe Septic Neutrophil—Friend or Foe
Author(s) -
Yibing Wei,
Jiyoun Kim,
Harri Ernits,
Daniel G. Remick
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
shock
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.095
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1540-0514
pISSN - 1073-2322
DOI - 10.1097/shk.0000000000001620
Subject(s) - neutrophil extracellular traps , sepsis , innate immune system , chemotaxis , immunology , immune system , septic shock , neutrophile , inflammation , bacteria , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , biology , receptor , genetics
Neutrophils play a critical role in the eradication of pathogenic organisms, particularly bacteria. However, in the septic patient the prolonged activation and accumulation of neutrophils may augment tissue and organ injury. This review discusses the different activation states and chemotaxis of neutrophils in septic patients. Neutrophil killing of bacteria and the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps represent important components of the innate immune response and they become dysregulated during sepsis, possibly through changes in their metabolism. Delayed neutrophil apoptosis may contribute to organ injury, or allow better clearance of pathogens. Neutrophils provide a friendly immune response to clear infections, but excessive activation and recruitment has the potential to turn them into potent foes.