Understanding the multiple functions of Gr-1(+) cell subpopulations during microbial infection

Immunol Res. 2008;40(1):35-48

Understanding the multiple functions of Gr-1(+) cell subpopulations during microbial infection

Egan CE, Sukhumavasi W, Bierly AL, Denkers EY.

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853-6401, USA, eyd1@cornell.edu.

The murine cell surface determinant Gr-1 is expressed at high level on neutrophils. Depletion of polymorphonuclear leukocytes with anti-Gr-1(+) monoclonal antibody results in increased susceptibility and dysregulated immunity to many microbial pathogens, a finding widely interpreted to indicate the importance of neutrophils during infection. Yet, in recent years it has become clear that additional cell types express the Gr-1 determinant, including dendritic cell and monocyte subpopulations. In this review, we evaluate current knowledge on the functional aspects of Gr-1(+) cell populations. We focus on infection with the opportunistic protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, a case where host survival depends on an intact Gr-1(+) cell population.

PMID: 18193362 [PubMed - in process]