Neutrophils discriminate live from dead bacteria by integrating signals initiated by Fprs and TLRs

What is it about?

The paper reveals novel molecular mechanisms whereby cells of the host defense system detect the presence of live and dead organisms during infection and discriminates between them. This has been a theme of great theoretical, as well as practical, interest since the first demonstration, more than 50 years ago, that live vaccines are considerably more efficient than killed ones at inducing protective immunity against infection.

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Why is it important?

We show that neutrophils become activated by integrating signals originating from formylated peptide and Toll-like receptors. Since agonists for these receptors are present in tissues in a variety of pathological conditions, these results may be of interest to devise alternative strategies to treat a wide range of disease.