Neutrophil-derived chemokines on the road to immunity

During recent years, it has become clear that polymorphonuclear neutrophils are remarkably versatilecells, whose functions go far beyond phagocytosis and killing. In fact, besides being involved in pri-mary defense against infections–mainly through phagocytosis, generation of toxic molecules, releaseof toxic enzymes and formation of extracellular traps–neutrophils have been shown to play a role infinely regulating the development and the evolution of inflammatory and immune responses. These lat-ter neutrophil-mediated functions occur by a variety of mechanisms, including the production of newlymanufactured cytokines.Herein, we provide a general overview of the chemotactic cytokines/chemokines that neutrophils canpotentially produce, either under inflammatory/immune reactions or during their activation in moreprolonged processes, such as in tumors. We highlight recent observations generated from studyinghuman or rodent neutrophils in vitro and in vivo models. We also discuss the biological significance ofneutrophil-derived chemokines in the context of infectious, neoplastic and immune-mediated diseases.The picture that is emerging is that, given their capacity to produce and release chemokines, neutrophilsexert essential functions in recruiting, activating and modulating the activities of different leukocytepopulations.