Two way communication between neutrophils and dendritic cells.

Neutrophils are instrumental in innate immunity by mediating immediate removal of pathogens. Recent findings demonstrate that they are able to communicate with dendritic cells, which form a link between innate and adaptive immunity by stimulating long-term memory T cell responses. This communication occurs through the cell-surface receptors Mac-1 and carcinoembryonic antigen-related cellular adhesion molecule on neutrophils, which interact with C-type lectins such as dendritic cell-specific ICAM-3 grabbing non-integrin (DC-SIGN). Clearly, dendritic cells can prolong the lifespan of neutrophils, whereas neutrophils could direct dendritic cell-mediated T cell responses.