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Neutrophils and Host Defense
- Robert I. Lehrer, MD;
- Tomas Ganz, MD, PhD;
- Michael E. Selsted, MD, PhD;
- Bernard M. Babior, MD, PhD; and
- John T. Curnutte, MD, PhD
Abstract
Neutrophils, the predominant phagocytes of circulating blood, are the first cells to arrive at sites of infection. Although neutropenia has long been recognized to predispose to infection, recently other syndromes marked by frequent infections have been shown to be caused by an underlying neutrophil dysfunction. Efforts to define the molecular pathology of such disorders have helped delineate the molecular basis of normal neutrophil function. Advances have been made in defining the roles of the neutrophil's varied receptors in recognition, movement, and adhesive phenomena. Progress in establishing the pathogenesis of chronic granulomatous disease has provided important insights into the enzymatic machinery that normal neutrophils use to produce antimicrobial oxidants. The identification and precise characterization of antimicrobial components, such as defensins, have outlined the potential roles of "natural antibiotics" in neutrophil-mediated host-defense functions. These areas of neutrophil function will be reviewed and placed in a clinical context to guide physicians in evaluating children and adults with frequent or unusual infections.
Article and Author Information
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An edited summary of an Interdepartmental Conference arranged by the Department of Medicine of the UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California. William M. Pardridge, MD, Professor of Medicine, is Director of Conferences.
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Authors who wish to cite a section of the conference and specifically indicate its author can use this example for the form of the reference:
Ganz T. Neutrophil receptors, pp 127-9. In: Lehrer RI, moderator. Neutrophils and Host Defense. Ann Intern Med. 1988;109:127-42.
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Grant Support: Partial support by grants HL 35640, AI 22931, AI 22839, AI 16252, AI 24227, and AI 24838 from the United States Public Health Service; grant N000-14-86-K0525 from the Office of Naval Research; and grant 1349 from the Council for Tobacco Research. Dr. Curnutte is an established investigator for the American Heart Association.
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Requests for Reprints: Robert I. Lehrer, MD, Department of Medicine, UCLA-Center for Health Sciences, Los Angeles, CA 90024.
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Current Author Addresses: Dr. Lehrer: Department of Medicine, UCLA-Center for Health Sciences, Los Angeles, CA 90024; and Department of Medicine, W. Los Angeles Veterans Administration Hospital, Los Angeles, CA 90073.
Dr. Ganz: Department of Medicine, UCLA-Center for Health Sciences, Los Angeles; and Will Rogers Institute Pulmonary Research at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90024.
Dr. Selsted: Departments of Medicine and Pathology, UCLA-Center for Health Sciences, Los Angeles, CA 90024.
Drs. Babior and Curnutte: Departments of Medicine and Basic and Clinical Research, Scripps Clinics and Research Foundation, La Jolla, CA 92307.
- © 1988 American College of Physicians
