Available online 19 July 2022, 104579

Neutrophils are heterogenetic populations with diverse functions.

Neutrophil heterogeneity is affected by maturation and activation states.

Deep profiling techniques will guarantee thorough understanding of neutrophil diversity.

Identification of disease associated neutrophil subsets may help for therapeutics.

Neutrophils are the most abundant, ephemeral cell type in human blood. As the first line of defense in the host immune system, neutrophils mature in the bone marrow after undergoing multiple stages of development and then are released into the peripheral blood and conduct a surveillance function. Recent advances in cutting-edge techniques such as single-cell sequencing have uncovered the complexity and plasticity of neutrophils under homeostatic and inflammatory conditions. The exploration of neutrophil heterogeneity and function under disease and homeostasis settings has revealed many unexpected roles of neutrophils beyond a phagocyte. Furthermore, neutrophils are known to actively communicate with innate and adaptive immunocytes via direct or indirect interactions, allowing the modulation of various immune cells. In this review, we will discuss the versatile identities of neutrophils that have been discovered in recent decades, as well as the interplay between neutrophils and other cells.

Neutrophil

Heterogeneity

Granulopoiesis

Single-cell sequencing

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