From complexity to consensus: A roadmap for neutrophil classification.
Ng LG., Ballesteros I., Cassatella MA., Egeblad M., Fridlender ZG., Gabrilovich D., Gao Q., Granot Z., Grieshaber-Bouyer R., Grimes HL., Hedrick CC., Hidalgo A., Kaplan MJ., Kubes P., Ling GS., Lu L., Luo HR., Mayadas TN., Moutsopoulos NM., Ng M., Nigrovic PA., Ostuni R., Pittet MJ., Quail DF., Silvestre-Roig C., Soehnlein O., Udalova IA., Xue R., Zhang N., Kwok I.
Neutrophils, previously considered a homogeneous immune cell population, exhibit substantial heterogeneity. Their diverse phenotypic and functional states are shaped by tissue microenvironments and disease-specific signals. However, the lack of robust fate-mapping methods and standardized classification criteria has led to overlapping and ambiguous descriptions of neutrophil heterogeneity. The growing number of neutrophil subpopulations reported in recent years highlights the need for a standardized framework to report how they might relate to each other. Here, we propose a framework that integrates maturation, tissue localization, and functional adaptations. This standardized system aims to harmonize research efforts, foster clearer cross-disciplinary communication, and accelerate both fundamental discoveries in neutrophil biology and the development of targeted therapies.