Understanding the role of neutrophils in acute respiratory distress syndrome

Shun-Chin Yang; Yung-Fong Tsai; Yen-Lin Pan; Tsong-Long Hwang

doi:10.1016/j.bj.2020.09.001

Understanding the role of neutrophils in acute respiratory distress syndrome

Biomed J. 2021 Aug;44(4):439-446. doi: 10.1016/j.bj.2020.09.001. Epub 2020 Sep 10.

Authors

Shun-Chin Yang¹, Yung-Fong Tsai², Yen-Lin Pan³, Tsong-Long Hwang⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Anesthesiology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital and National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
² Department of Anesthesiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
³ Department of Pharmacy, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
⁴ Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Anesthesiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Research Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Research Center for Food and Cosmetic Safety, and Graduate Institute of Health Industry Technology, College of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Chemical Engineering, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei City, Taiwan. Electronic address: htl@mail.cgu.edu.tw.

Abstract

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is difficult to treat and is associated with a high mortality rate. The most severe form of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) also leads to life-threatening ARDS. Neutrophil counts are positively correlated with disease severity in ARDS. Neutrophil activation not only plays a significant role in immune defense against infections, but also causes tissue damage and leads to inflammatory diseases. Activated neutrophils rapidly migrate to inflamed lung tissue, releasing toxic granular contents and generating neutrophil extracellular traps. In the last few decades, it has become apparent that neutrophils occupy a central role in ARDS pathology. In this review, we summarize the neutrophil inflammatory responses and their relationships to ARDS. According to the current literature, understanding the function of neutrophils may be helpful in the treatment of ARDS.

Keywords: ARDS; Inflammation; Neutrophil.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

COVID-19*
Humans
Lung
Neutrophils
Respiratory Distress Syndrome*
SARS-CoV-2