Neutrophil-derived reactive oxygen species

Neutrophil-derived reactive oxygen species are a class of highly reactive molecules (such as superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radicals, and hypochlorous acid) produced by neutrophils primarily through the respiratory burst during immune activation. These molecules play a central role in the innate immune response by killing invading pathogens and breaking down damaged tissue fragments. While essential for defense, excessive or dysregulated production of these ROS can cause oxidative stress, leading to damage of host cellular lipids, proteins, and DNA and contributing to the pathogenesis of inflammatory, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and autoimmune diseases as well as tissue injury following ischemia or infection. Drugs that target neutrophil-derived ROS typically act as antioxidants, enzyme inhibitors (such as MPO inhibitors), or modulators of neutrophil lifespan and activity. Although reducing ROS has therapeutic potential in diseases marked by excessive oxidative damage, it carries significant safety concerns due to the crucial role of ROS in host defense against infection.

Other names

Neutrophil-derived ROSneutrophil respiratory burst productsneutrophil-generated free radicals

Scavenging or neutralization of ROS; Inhibition of neutrophil activation or respiratory burst; Inhibition of enzymes producing ROS (e.g., MPO, NADPH oxidase)