Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2004; 25(1): 33-41
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-822303
Copyright © 2004 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Neutrophils in Innate Immunity

Qin Wang1 , Claire M. Doerschuk1 , Joseph P. Mizgerd2
  • 1Division of Integrative Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital and Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
  • 2Physiology Program, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
12 March 2004 (online)

Preview

Neutrophils are an important component of innate immunity in the lungs. During bacterial pneumonia, neutrophils are recruited from the capillaries of the pulmonary circulation in the gas-exchanging regions of the lungs. This process requires the coordinated activation of many cells within the lungs, including neutrophils and capillary endothelial cells. Cellular activation during innate immune responses is mediated in part by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-1-initiated signaling through their receptors, activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and downstream gene transcription, endothelial cell signaling initiated by neutrophil adherence to intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, and binding of leukocyte adhesion molecules to cellular and matrix ligands. These events are essential to effective host defense during pneumonia.

REFERENCES

Claire M DoerschukM.D. 

Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Room 787

11100 Euclid Ave., Cleveland

OH 44106

Email: cmd22@po.cwru.edu