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Current insights into neutrophil homeostasis
Author(s) -
Bugl Stefanie,
Wirths Stefan,
Müller Martin R.,
Radsak Markus P.,
Kopp HansGeorg
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2012.06607.x
Subject(s) - granulopoiesis , homeostasis , immunology , granulocyte , biology , neutropenia , neutrophil extracellular traps , inflammation , neutrophilia , microbiology and biotechnology , haematopoiesis , stem cell , genetics , chemotherapy
Neutrophil granulocytes represent the first immunologic barrier against invading pathogens, and neutropenia predisposes to infection. However, neutrophils may also cause significant collateral inflammatory damage. Therefore, neutrophil numbers are tightly regulated by an incompletely understood homeostatic feedback loop adjusting the marrow's supply to peripheral needs. Granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) is accepted to be the major determinant of neutrophil production, and G‐CSF levels have, soon after its discovery, been described to be inversely correlated with neutrophil counts. A neutrophil sensor, or “neutrostat,” has, therefore, been postulated. The prevailing feedback hypothesis was established in adhesion molecule–deficient mice; it includes macrophages and Th17 cells, which determine G‐CSF levels in response to the number of peripherally transmigrated, apoptosing neutrophils. Recent work has deepened our understanding of homeostatic regulation of neutrophil granulopoiesis, but there are still inconsistent findings and unresolved questions when it comes to a plausible hypothesis, similar to the feedback control models of red cell or platelet homeostasis.