Role of ion movements in neutrophil activation

The neutrophils represent the first line of defense against foreign pathogens. They are highly specialized for the performance of this primary function, the phagocytosis and destruction of microorganisms. The microbial invasion elicits several neutrophil responses. They include: chemotaxis, phagocytosis, oxidative burst, digestion, extracellular release, and aggregation. In this chapter we will restrict our discussion to the possible role of ion (Na super(+), K super(+), Ca super(2+)) movements in these cell responses. Discussion of the methods for measuring ion movements will not be presented since this subject has been reviewed recently. Other aspects of the excitation-response coupling of neutrophil activation will not be dealt with since this subject has been discussed extensively.