Neutrophils and eosinophils

Neutrophils and eosinophils are specialized types of granulocytic white blood cells that constitute essential components of the innate immune system. Neutrophils are the most prevalent leukocytes and act as primary responders to acute infection and tissue injury, utilizing phagocytosis, enzymatic degranulation, and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) to neutralize pathogens (Source: Rosales, Frontiers in Physiology, 2018). Eosinophils are primarily involved in the defense against multicellular parasites and are major effectors in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases and asthma through the release of cytotoxic granule proteins (Source: Rothenberg & Hogan, Annual Review of Immunology, 2006). While these cells are not individual molecular targets, they are the focus of various pharmacological interventions. For instance, eosinophil-depleting therapies like Benralizumab are used to treat severe eosinophilic asthma, while neutrophil-stimulating agents like Filgrastim are used to manage chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. Because they are broad cell populations rather than specific receptors or enzymes, they are generally considered cellular targets or biological markers rather than molecular drug targets.

Other names

GranulocytesPolymorphonuclear leukocytesPMNsEosNeuts

Therapeutic strategies do not target these cells directly as molecules but rather modulate their activity, production, or survival through specific molecular pathways. For eosinophils, monoclonal antibodies target Interleukin-5 (IL-5) or its receptor (IL-5Rα) to inhibit maturation and induce apoptosis (Source: StatPearls, Eosinophilia). For neutrophils, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) analogs bind to the G-CSF receptor to stimulate proliferation and differentiation in the bone marrow (Source: PubMed, PMC2722837).