The counter-intuitive role of the neutrophil in the acute respiratory distress syndrome

Introduction Neutrophils are the primary effectors of the innate immune system but are profoundly histotoxic cells. The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is considered to be a prime example of neutrophil-mediated tissue injury. Sources of data The information presented in this review is acquired from the published neutrophil cell biology literature and the longstanding interest of the senior authors in ARDS pathogenesis and clinical...