Ng, L. G.; Ballesteros, I.; Cassatella, M. A.; Egeblad, M.; Fridlender, Z. G.; Gabrilovich, D.; Gao, Q.; Granot, Z.; Grieshaber-Bouyer, R.; Grimes, H. L.; Hedrick, C. C.; Hidalgo, A.; Kaplan, M. J.; Kubes, P.; Ling, G. S.; Lu, L.; Luo, H. R.; Mayadas, T. N.; Moutsopoulos, N. M.; Ng, M.; Nigrovic, P. A.; Ostuni, R.; Pittet, M. J.; Quail, D. F.; Silvestre-Roig, C.; Soehnlein, O.; Udalova, I. A.; Xue, R.; Zhang, N.; Kwok, I.
Summary
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.