Neutrophils and arthritis: Role in disease and pharmacological perspectives

Abstract

The inflammatory response in the joint can induce an intense accumulation of leukocytes in the tissue that frequently results in severe local damage and loss of function. Neutrophils are essential cells to combat many pathogens, but their arsenal can contribute or aggravate articular inflammation. Here we summarized some aspects of neutrophil biology, their role in inflammation and indicated how the modulation of neutrophil functions could be useful for the treatment of different forms of arthritis.

Keywords: Arthritis; Infection; Neutrophil; Neutrophil extracellular traps; Neutrophil recruitment; Phagocytosis; Tissue damage.