Neutrophil apoptosis in autoimmunity

The regulation of death pathways in neutrophils has been of long interest, but the relevance of neutrophil apoptosis to the pathogenesis and treatment of autoimmune diseases has only recently been becoming recognized. This brief review addresses the relevant pathways by which neutrophil apoptosis is regulated and summarizes the current understanding regarding the potential role of apoptotic neutrophils in the initiation and/or propagation of autoimmunity, as well as the applicability of modulation of neutrophil death in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.