Cytokine Modulation of Neutrophil Functions
Summary
Neutrophils are frontline effectors of innate immunity, executing pathogen clearance through directional migration, phagocytosis, oxidative burst and the deployment of extracellular traps. Their deployment and functional state are tightly regulated by cytokines, a broad class of signalling proteins that orchestrate proliferation, differentiation, survival and activation. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) are principal modulators, driving neutrophil production in the bone marrow and fine-tuning effector responses in peripheral tissues. Interleukins such as IL-8 and IL-17 further influence chemotaxis and degranulation, while tumour necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ modulate adhesion molecule expression and intracellular killing mechanisms. Balanced cytokine signalling ensures rapid microbial defence and tissue repair; dysregulation may lead to immunodeficiency, chronic inflammation or tissue injury. Clinically, exogenous cytokine administration has become central to managing neutropenia in cancer patients, mobilising haematopoietic stem cells for transplantation and potentially augmenting antimicrobial capacity in vulnerable populations. Emerging insights into dose-dependent and time-dependent cytokine effects are informing strategies to optimise therapeutic benefit while minimising risks such as excessive reactive oxygen species production, impaired chemotaxis or predisposition to thrombosis.
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Cytokine Modulation of Neutrophil Functions publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in cytokine modulation of neutrophil functions across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Cytokine: small secreted protein that mediates intercellular communication in immune responses.
G-CSF: granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, a cytokine stimulating neutrophil proliferation, differentiation and activation.
Chemotaxis: directed cell migration toward a chemical gradient, essential for neutrophil trafficking to sites of infection.
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS): chemically reactive molecules containing oxygen, generated by neutrophils to destroy pathogens.
Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs): networks of DNA and antimicrobial proteins expelled by activated neutrophils to trap and kill microbes.
References
- Assessment of Neutrophil Chemotaxis Upon G-CSF Treatment of Healthy Stem Cell Donors and in Allogeneic Transplant Recipients. Frontiers in Immunology (2018).
- G-CSF Infusion for Stem Cell Mobilization Transiently Increases Serum Cell-Free DNA and Protease Concentrations. Frontiers in Medicine (2020).
- Granulocyte Colony—Stimulating Factor Multiplies Normal Blood ROS Generation at Less than 1 µg/l. Optics and Photonics Journal (2018).
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