The Research Progress in the Study of Neutrophil Heterogeneity and Phenotypic Plasticity
Neutrophils,as the principal effector cells in innate immune responses,constitute the first line of defense mechaninsm against microorganisms and other related harmful agents.In addition to their roles in infectious diseases,neutrophils are integral to sterile inflammatory responses,including conditions such as cancer,atherosclerosis,myocardial infarction,cerebral infarction,and neurodegenerative diseases,where they are involved in multiple stages of tissue injury and repair functions.Previous studies of neutrophil heterogeneity indicate that neutrophils are a diverse group of cells with various phenotypes and functions,exhibiting a certain degree of plasticity under specific conditions.This article summarizes biological characteristics of neutrophils and then delves into the potential mechanisms underlying their diversity.It reviews features and pathophysiological roles of different neutrophil subsets,thereby offering novel insights for the translation of fundamental neutrophil research into clinical applications.