Polymorphonuclear neutrophil granulocytes (PMN) are primary antimicrobial effector cells of
the innate immune system and serve to destroy invading pathogens. Although most ingested
microorganisms are killed readily inside PMN, several obligate or facultative intracellular
pathogens survive even in this hostile environment. Extension of the life span of neutrophils
is a general escape mechanism of pathogens residing in PMN. However, after 2–4 days,
even infected neutrophils become apoptotic and are phagocytosed by macrophages. Since …