Apoptosis of polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes play the major role in the phagocytary system of defence against bacterial infection. Their life span is the shortest amo ng all leukocytes. After leaving the blood circulation, they are predestine d for programmed cell death - apoptosis. Unlike necrosis, apoptosis does no t induce damage to tissues due to the histotoxic potential of granules of t he polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The review summarizes principal opinions a nd results of experimental work on basic morphological, biochemical and gen etic aspects of this type of cell death in polymorphonuclear leukocytes, as well as on factors controlling this process.