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Review
. 2023 Nov 28:14:1201651.
doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1201651. eCollection 2023.

Neutrophil heterogeneity and aging: implications for COVID-19 and wound healing

Yi Liu #  1 , Changlan Xiang #  1 , Zhenni Que #  1 , Chenglong Li  1 , Wen Wang  1 , Lijuan Yin  1 , Chenyu Chu  1 , Yin Zhou  1
Affiliations
Review

Neutrophil heterogeneity and aging: implications for COVID-19 and wound healing

Yi Liu et al. Front Immunol. .

Abstract

Neutrophils play a critical role in the immune response to infection and tissue injury. However, recent studies have shown that neutrophils are a heterogeneous population with distinct subtypes that differ in their functional properties. Moreover, aging can alter neutrophil function and exacerbate immune dysregulation. In this review, we discuss the concept of neutrophil heterogeneity and how it may be affected by aging. We then examine the implications of neutrophil heterogeneity and aging for COVID-19 pathogenesis and wound healing. Specifically, we summarize the evidence for neutrophil involvement in COVID-19 and the potential mechanisms underlying neutrophil recruitment and activation in this disease. We also review the literature on the role of neutrophils in the wound healing process and how aging and neutrophil heterogeneity may impact wound healing outcomes. Finally, we discuss the potential for neutrophil-targeted therapies to improve clinical outcomes in COVID-19 and wound healing.

Keywords: COVID-19; aging; heterogeneity; immune response; neutrophil; wound healing.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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