AUTHOR=Ding Lili , Yang Juan , Zhang Chunmei , Zhang Xiuna , Gao Pujun TITLE=Neutrophils Modulate Fibrogenesis in Chronic Pulmonary Diseases JOURNAL=Frontiers in Medicine VOLUME=8 YEAR=2021 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2021.616200 DOI=10.3389/fmed.2021.616200 ISSN=2296-858X ABSTRACT=

Chronic inflammatory pulmonary diseases are characterized by recurrent and persistent inflammation of the airways, commonly associated with poor clinical outcomes. Although their etiologies vary tremendously, airway neutrophilia is a common feature of these diseases. Neutrophils, as vital regulators linking innate and adaptive immune systems, are a double-edged sword in the immune response of the lung involving mechanisms such as phagocytosis, degranulation, neutrophil extracellular trap formation, exosome secretion, release of cytokines and chemokines, and autophagy. Although neutrophils serve as strong defenders against extracellular pathogens, neutrophils and their components can trigger various cascades leading to inflammation and fibrogenesis. Here, we review current studies to elucidate the versatile roles of neutrophils in chronic pulmonary inflammatory diseases and describe the common pathogenesis of these diseases. This may provide new insights into therapeutic strategies for chronic lung diseases.