Abstract
Neutrophils engulf and kill bacteria when their antimicrobial granules fuse with the phagosome. Here, we describe that, upon activation, neutrophils release granule proteins and chromatin that together form extracellular fibers that bind Gram-positive and -negative bacteria. These neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) degrade virulence factors and kill bacteria. NETs are abundant in vivo in experimental dysentery and spontaneous human appendicitis, two examples of acute inflammation. NETs appear to be a form of innate response that binds microorganisms, prevents them from spreading, and ensures a high local concentration of antimicrobial agents to degrade virulence factors and kill bacteria.
Publication types
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Appendicitis / immunology
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Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
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Blood Bactericidal Activity
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Cytochalasin D / pharmacology
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Cytoplasmic Granules / metabolism
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DNA / analysis
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DNA / metabolism
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Dysentery, Bacillary / immunology
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Endopeptidases / metabolism
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Histones / analysis
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Histones / metabolism
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Humans
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Immunity, Innate*
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Leukocyte Elastase / analysis
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Leukocyte Elastase / metabolism
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Microscopy, Electron
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Neutrophil Activation*
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Neutrophils / chemistry
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Neutrophils / immunology*
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Neutrophils / physiology
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Neutrophils / ultrastructure
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Phagocytosis
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Rabbits
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Salmonella typhimurium / immunology
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Salmonella typhimurium / physiology*
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Shigella flexneri / immunology
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Shigella flexneri / physiology*
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Staphylococcus aureus / immunology
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Staphylococcus aureus / physiology*
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Virulence Factors / metabolism
Substances
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Bacterial Proteins
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Histones
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Virulence Factors
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ipaB protein, Shigella
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Cytochalasin D
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DNA
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Endopeptidases
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Leukocyte Elastase