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Review

Beyond Killing: The Overlooked Contribution of Neutrophils to Tissue Repair

by
Eduardo Anitua
1,2,*,
María Troya
1,2 and
Mohammad H. Alkhraisat
1,2,3
1
BTI-Biotechnology Institute, 01007 Vitoria, Spain
2
University Institute for Regenerative Medicine & Oral Implantology—UIRMI (UPV/EHU-Fundación Eduardo Anitua), 01007 Vitoria, Spain
3
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Medicine and Periodontics Department, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(17), 8669; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26178669
Submission received: 11 July 2025 / Revised: 25 August 2025 / Accepted: 4 September 2025 / Published: 5 September 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Immunology)

Abstract

Neutrophils are the most abundant immune cells in humans and the first responders to be recruited at the site of injury. They exhibit high microbicidal activity and a combination of cytotoxic mechanisms that may lead to bystander tissue damage. However, this classical and simplistic view of the neutrophil biology has recently dramatically changed. Emerging evidence indicates an active role for neutrophils in resolution of inflammation and tissue repair. This review specifically explores the mechanisms through which neutrophils perform their anti-inflammatory and tissue-repairing roles, which are also modulated by circadian rhythms—an aspect that influences immune activity and may have implications for treatment timing. A particular focus is placed on the role of platelet-derived products in modulating local neutrophil immune responses. The remarkable phenotypic plasticity of neutrophils and their crucial role in resolving inflammation and restoring homeostasis underscore their promise as a therapeutic approach. However, their activity must be finely regulated to prevent potential tissue damage.
Keywords: neutrophils; tissue repair; wound healing; platelets neutrophils; tissue repair; wound healing; platelets

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Anitua, E.; Troya, M.; Alkhraisat, M.H. Beyond Killing: The Overlooked Contribution of Neutrophils to Tissue Repair. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26, 8669. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26178669

AMA Style

Anitua E, Troya M, Alkhraisat MH. Beyond Killing: The Overlooked Contribution of Neutrophils to Tissue Repair. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2025; 26(17):8669. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26178669

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anitua, Eduardo, María Troya, and Mohammad H. Alkhraisat. 2025. "Beyond Killing: The Overlooked Contribution of Neutrophils to Tissue Repair" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 26, no. 17: 8669. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26178669

APA Style

Anitua, E., Troya, M., & Alkhraisat, M. H. (2025). Beyond Killing: The Overlooked Contribution of Neutrophils to Tissue Repair. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(17), 8669. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26178669

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