Neutrophils are atypical antigen-presenting cells

Abstract

Neutrophils are the most abundant leukocytes in the blood and the “ rst line” of defense against pathogens in the in ammation foci, where they perform e ector functions such as phagocytosis, degranulation, generation of reactive oxygen species, and the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps. For a long time, it was believed that neutrophils are short-lived terminally di erentiated phagocytes. However, this point of view has been changed after it was found that these cells are able to interact with other populations of leukocytes, as well as mediate the relationship between innate and adaptive immunity. In recent years, a lot of data has accumulated indicating the ability of neutrophils to acquire the function of antigen-presenting cells in a number of pathological and in ammatory conditions. In addition, neutrophils can express major histocompatibility complex class II and costimulatory molecules under the in uence of speci c cytokines in the in vitro system and activate T lymphocytes. This review summarizes current data on the antigen-presenting function of neutrophils, the proposed mechanisms of regulation of this process and its signi cance in normal and pathological conditions.