Neutrophil Apoptosis During Viral Infections

Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a highly conserved cellular suicide mechanism. Apoptosis is critical to the effective resolution of inflammation, particularly in regulating the lifespan of neutrophils. Neutrophils are key components of the first line of defense against microorganisms. Thus, subversion of this critical host defense mechanism by pathogens can contribute to susceptibility to severe and recurrent infections. In this review, we describe the molecular mechanisms involved in PMN death in relationship with viral infections.