Preface

**Section 3 Immunosuppressive Properties of Neutrophils 143**

**Pathological Conditions 145**

Bonomo

**VI** Contents

Chapter 7 **Neutrophils Plasticity: The Regulatory Interface in Various**

Suelen Martins Perobelli, Triciana Gonçalves Silva and Adriana

Neutrophils are the most abundant circulating white blood cells, which are considered the first line of innate immune response against various insults and an important link to activate the adaptive immune response when needed. They play an important role in the pathogene‐ sis of various infectious and noninfectious diseases. Recent discovery regarding the forma‐ tion of weblike structures in the extracellular space called neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) provided better understanding of their role in various disease conditions and for their role as an important future therapeutic target.

This book *Role of Neutrophils in Disease Pathogenesis* provides the most recent evidence re‐ garding the role of neutrophil in various diseases of infectious and noninfectious origin. The first section of this book [Section 1: Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs)] focuses on the role of NETs in various diseases. Chapter 1 (Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Infectious Hu‐ man Diseases) provides a general background information regarding the mechanisms and various triggers of NET formation. The role of NETs in selected infectious and noninfectious diseases is also discussed. Chapter 2 (Beneficial and Deleterious Effects of Neutrophil Ex‐ tracellular Traps on Infection) mainly focuses on providing recent evidence for the role of NETs in various infectious diseases. The various cells producing NETs, their role in the im‐ mune response, and the pros and cons of NETs are also discussed in this chapter. Chapter 3 (The Role of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Postinjury Inflammation) focuses on the role of NET-derived neutrophils in the pathological mechanisms leading to postinjury inflamma‐ tion and secondary tissue injury. The clinical relevance of NETs in postinjury complications and the therapeutic potential of NET inhibition/clearance are also discussed at the end of this chapter.

In the second section of the book (Section 2: Neutrophil Role in Disease Pathogenesis), the role of neutrophils in the pathogenesis of selected disease conditions is discussed. Chapter 4 (Neutrophil Role in Periodontal Disease) focuses on the role of neutrophils in the pathogen‐ esis of periodontal diseases, which leads to tooth loss or increases the risk of developing various systemic diseases in severe cases. Novel therapeutic approaches for periodontitis are also discussed at the end of this chapter. Chapter 5 (Neutrophils in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Target for Discovering New Therapies Based on Natural Products) discusses the role of neu‐ trophil in the initiation and progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Current pharmacologi‐ cal treatments with their drawbacks and various substances derived from natural products as putative antirheumatic therapies are also discussed at the end of this chapter. Chapter 6 (Role of Neutrophils in Cystic Fibrosis Lung Disease) highlights the important role of neu‐ trophils in the pathogenesis of cystic fibrosis (CF) and the utility of using these cells as a noninvasive biomarker and a readout to determine the efficacy of etiological therapies in CF.

The last section of this chapter (Section 3: Immunosuppressive Properties of Neutrophils) highlights the immunosuppressive properties of neutrophils. Chapter 7 (Neutrophil Plastici‐ ty: The Regulatory Interface in Various Pathological Conditions) focuses on an important yet less-recognized role for neutrophils in *reducing* the inflammatory responses either by di‐ rect interaction with other cells or secretion of factors to modulate the activity of the inflam‐ matory response. More emphasis is given to their role in graft versus host disease (GVHD), which is the main limitation of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

We hope that the recent evidence described in this book provides a better understanding of the role of these immune cells in various disease conditions and forms the basis for future research activities aiming to provide better therapeutic approaches to treat various disease conditions.

#### **Dr. Maitham A. Khajah, B Pharm, PhD**

Assistant Professor Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics Faculty of Pharmacy, Kuwait University, Kuwait **Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs)**

The last section of this chapter (Section 3: Immunosuppressive Properties of Neutrophils) highlights the immunosuppressive properties of neutrophils. Chapter 7 (Neutrophil Plastici‐ ty: The Regulatory Interface in Various Pathological Conditions) focuses on an important yet less-recognized role for neutrophils in *reducing* the inflammatory responses either by di‐ rect interaction with other cells or secretion of factors to modulate the activity of the inflam‐ matory response. More emphasis is given to their role in graft versus host disease (GVHD),

We hope that the recent evidence described in this book provides a better understanding of the role of these immune cells in various disease conditions and forms the basis for future research activities aiming to provide better therapeutic approaches to treat various disease

**Dr. Maitham A. Khajah, B Pharm, PhD**

Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics Faculty of Pharmacy, Kuwait University, Kuwait

Assistant Professor

which is the main limitation of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

conditions.

VIII Preface
