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===== [[Neutrophil|Neutrophils]] ===== Neutrophils are the most common immune cell and the first type of cell to arrive at the site of infection. These cells are flexible, bulbous, and multilobed. Normally, neutrophils travel through the blood and lymph systems but they have receptors that jut out of their surface like pins on a pincushion, that allow them to attach to cells stressed by damage or infection and perform their duty. With these receptors, neutrophils are also able to slip between cells if they’re needed in tissues outside of the blood and lymph systems. Neutrophils are activated by chemical signals that stressed cells release. Cytokines, messenger proteins that induce different immune cell functions, can function in this capacity: switching migratory neutrophils to potent eradicator cells. Once operative, neutrophils working alongside macrophages in the innate immune system, engulfing and destroying pathogens non-specifically. This mechanism works because there are molecules present on pathogens that are not present on any of the cells in the body. These are called pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Cells in the body that have pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs), which neutrophils do, can identify the PAMPs and eliminate the non-self cells. Once ingested into the lumen on the neutrophil, the contents of the granules are released, which break down the microbe. Alternatively, the granules from a neutrophil can be released to the surrounding environment and break down pathogens outside of the cell. Neutrophils are normally between [[Tel:1500-8000|1500-8000]] neutrophils/μL. High levels are caused by smoking, infection and non-infectious inflammation. Low levels appear with suppressed immune systems, autoimmune diseases and during drug treatments such as chemotherapy.
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