Published online Dec 12, 2015. doi: 10.5528/wjtm.v4.i3.60
Peer-review started: July 4, 2015
First decision: September 17, 2015
Revised: October 3, 2015
Accepted: November 23, 2015
Article in press: November 25, 2015
Published online: December 12, 2015
Processing time: 200 Days and 12.2 Hours
Neutrophils are granulocytic cytotoxic leukocytes of the innate immune system that activate during acute inflammation. Neutrophils can also persist beyond the acute phase of inflammation to impact the adaptive immune response during chronic inflammation. In the context of the autoimmune disease, neutrophils modulating T and B cell functions by producing cytokines and chemokines, forming neutrophil extracellular traps, and acting as or priming antigen presentation cells. Thus, neutrophils are actively involved in chronic inflammation and tissue damage in autoimmune disease. Using rheumatoid arthritis as an example, this review focuses on functions of neutrophils in adaptive immunity and the therapeutic potential of these cells in the treatment of autoimmune disease and chronic inflammation.
Core tip: Neutrophils guide the adaptive immune response in persistent inflammation by directly and indirectly interacting with T and B cells. Understanding and manipulating these roles of neutrophils will lead to novel therapeutic approaches to prevent and treat autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.