Frontiers in Immunology (Jun 2022)
Neutrophils in COVID-19: Not Innocent Bystanders
- Ellen McKenna,
- Ellen McKenna,
- Richard Wubben,
- Johana M. Isaza-Correa,
- Johana M. Isaza-Correa,
- Ashanty M. Melo,
- Ashanty M. Melo,
- Aisling Ui Mhaonaigh,
- Niall Conlon,
- James S. O’Donnell,
- Clíona Ní Cheallaigh,
- Clíona Ní Cheallaigh,
- Tim Hurley,
- Tim Hurley,
- Tim Hurley,
- Tim Hurley,
- Nigel J. Stevenson,
- Nigel J. Stevenson,
- Mark A. Little,
- Mark A. Little,
- Eleanor J. Molloy,
- Eleanor J. Molloy,
- Eleanor J. Molloy,
- Eleanor J. Molloy,
- Eleanor J. Molloy,
- Eleanor J. Molloy
Affiliations
- Ellen McKenna
- Discipline of Paediatrics, Dublin Trinity College, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Ellen McKenna
- Paediatric Research Laboratory, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute (TTMI), St James’ Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- Richard Wubben
- Viral Immunology Group, School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Dublin, Ireland
- Johana M. Isaza-Correa
- Discipline of Paediatrics, Dublin Trinity College, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Johana M. Isaza-Correa
- Paediatric Research Laboratory, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute (TTMI), St James’ Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- Ashanty M. Melo
- Discipline of Paediatrics, Dublin Trinity College, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Ashanty M. Melo
- Paediatric Research Laboratory, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute (TTMI), St James’ Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- Aisling Ui Mhaonaigh
- Trinity Health Kidney Centre, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute (TTMI), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Niall Conlon
- Department of Immunology, St James’ Hospital, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- James S. O’Donnell
- Irish Centre for Vascular Biology, Dublin, Ireland
- Clíona Ní Cheallaigh
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Science, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Clíona Ní Cheallaigh
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St James’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- Tim Hurley
- Discipline of Paediatrics, Dublin Trinity College, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Tim Hurley
- Paediatric Research Laboratory, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute (TTMI), St James’ Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- Tim Hurley
- Neonatology, Coombe Women and Infant’s University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- Tim Hurley
- 0National Children’s Research Centre, Children’s Hospital Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
- Nigel J. Stevenson
- Viral Immunology Group, School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Dublin, Ireland
- Nigel J. Stevenson
- 1Viral Immunology Group, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Medical College of Bahrain, Al Muharraq, Bahrain
- Mark A. Little
- Trinity Health Kidney Centre, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute (TTMI), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Mark A. Little
- Irish Centre for Vascular Biology, Dublin, Ireland
- Eleanor J. Molloy
- Discipline of Paediatrics, Dublin Trinity College, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Eleanor J. Molloy
- Paediatric Research Laboratory, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute (TTMI), St James’ Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- Eleanor J. Molloy
- Neonatology, Coombe Women and Infant’s University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- Eleanor J. Molloy
- 0National Children’s Research Centre, Children’s Hospital Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
- Eleanor J. Molloy
- 2Neonatology, Children’s Hospital Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
- Eleanor J. Molloy
- 3Paediatrics, Children’s Hospital Ireland (CHI) at Tallaght, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.864387
- Journal volume & issue
-
Vol. 13
Abstract
Unusually for a viral infection, the immunological phenotype of severe COVID-19 is characterised by a depleted lymphocyte and elevated neutrophil count, with the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio correlating with disease severity. Neutrophils are the most abundant immune cell in the bloodstream and comprise different subpopulations with pleiotropic actions that are vital for host immunity. Unique neutrophil subpopulations vary in their capacity to mount antimicrobial responses, including NETosis (the generation of neutrophil extracellular traps), degranulation and de novo production of cytokines and chemokines. These processes play a role in antiviral immunity, but may also contribute to the local and systemic tissue damage seen in acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Neutrophils also contribute to complications of COVID-19 such as thrombosis, acute respiratory distress syndrome and multisystem inflammatory disease in children. In this Progress review, we discuss the anti-viral and pathological roles of neutrophils in SARS-CoV-2 infection, and potential therapeutic strategies for COVID-19 that target neutrophil-mediated inflammatory responses.
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