Fig. 8: Proposed model for the fate and function of neutrophils after denervation.

Denervation-induced atrophy immediately upregulates CXCL1 expression, which recruits ROS-activated CXCR2⁺ neutrophils into denervated muscle to delay skeletal muscle atrophy. Neutrophils are preprogrammed to ultimately undergo apoptosis mediated by P53.