Neutrophils are the most abundant subpopulation of leukocytes, forming an essential part of the innate immune system and interacting with various other leukocytes and lymphocytes. It was previously thought that neutrophils were a phenotypically and functionally homogeneous population due to their short lifespan, low transcriptional activity, and terminal differentiation. However, in disease and physiological states, the neutrophil population is now known to be able to differentiate into various subpopulations which exhibit distinct phenotypic and functional characteristics. The phenotypic diversity of neutrophils is due to their ability to synthesize proteins in response to environmental signals. The known functional variability of neutrophils now includes roles triggering innate and adaptive immune responses and in the modulation of inflammation.
The heterogeneity of neutrophils varies greatly during tumor progression, with two subpopulations, N1 and N2, being used to distinguish the pro- and anti-tumor activity of neutrophils. Recent evidence also suggests various neutrophil subpopulations may be involved in autoimmune disease pathogenesis. Furthermore, changes in neutrophil phenotypes have also been identified in various other pathologies including during responses to specific infections, sepsis, and ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Further research into the specific molecular markers that differentiate these neutrophil phenotypes is important to establish their diagnostic capacity in various pathologies. The functional diversity of neutrophil subsets represents the possibility for therapeutics which selectively intervene in their activity, which may be used in the treatment of various neutrophil-driven diseases.
In this Research Topic, we aim to present an update on the functional and phenotypic diversity of neutrophil subpopulations in various pathologies. We also aim to cover the mechanisms of differentiation, including transcriptional and translational regulation. We welcome submissions identifying novel biomarkers of neutrophils subsets, or that cover the utilization of neutrophil heterogeneity in the development of novel therapeutics. We welcome the submission of Original Research, Review, and Mini Review articles covering, but not limited to, the following sub-topics:
- Functional and phenotypic diversity of neutrophil subpopulations in various pathologies
- Molecular mechanisms of neutrophil differentiation
- Effects of transmigration on neutrophil phenotype
- Effect of senescence on neutrophil phenotype
- Identification of novel molecular biomarkers of neutrophil subpopulations
- Therapeutics targeting neutrophil functional and phenotypic diversity
- Use of novel technologies to characterize neutrophil subsets in various pathologies
Neutrophils are the most abundant subpopulation of leukocytes, forming an essential part of the innate immune system and interacting with various other leukocytes and lymphocytes. It was previously thought that neutrophils were a phenotypically and functionally homogeneous population due to their short lifespan, low transcriptional activity, and terminal differentiation. However, in disease and physiological states, the neutrophil population is now known to be able to differentiate into various subpopulations which exhibit distinct phenotypic and functional characteristics. The phenotypic diversity of neutrophils is due to their ability to synthesize proteins in response to environmental signals. The known functional variability of neutrophils now includes roles triggering innate and adaptive immune responses and in the modulation of inflammation.
The heterogeneity of neutrophils varies greatly during tumor progression, with two subpopulations, N1 and N2, being used to distinguish the pro- and anti-tumor activity of neutrophils. Recent evidence also suggests various neutrophil subpopulations may be involved in autoimmune disease pathogenesis. Furthermore, changes in neutrophil phenotypes have also been identified in various other pathologies including during responses to specific infections, sepsis, and ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Further research into the specific molecular markers that differentiate these neutrophil phenotypes is important to establish their diagnostic capacity in various pathologies. The functional diversity of neutrophil subsets represents the possibility for therapeutics which selectively intervene in their activity, which may be used in the treatment of various neutrophil-driven diseases.
In this Research Topic, we aim to present an update on the functional and phenotypic diversity of neutrophil subpopulations in various pathologies. We also aim to cover the mechanisms of differentiation, including transcriptional and translational regulation. We welcome submissions identifying novel biomarkers of neutrophils subsets, or that cover the utilization of neutrophil heterogeneity in the development of novel therapeutics. We welcome the submission of Original Research, Review, and Mini Review articles covering, but not limited to, the following sub-topics:
- Functional and phenotypic diversity of neutrophil subpopulations in various pathologies
- Molecular mechanisms of neutrophil differentiation
- Effects of transmigration on neutrophil phenotype
- Effect of senescence on neutrophil phenotype
- Identification of novel molecular biomarkers of neutrophil subpopulations
- Therapeutics targeting neutrophil functional and phenotypic diversity
- Use of novel technologies to characterize neutrophil subsets in various pathologies