In response to certain pathogen associated molecular patterns such as LPS, and certain cytokines such as IL-8, neutrophils release DNA and antimicrobial granular proteins. These neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) bind to bacteria, prevent them from spreading, and kill them with antimicrobial proteins such as histones and elastins. One hypothesis, shown in this animation, proposes that the NETs are produced by living neutrophils in response to bacteria. Alternately, NETs may be released as a result of necrotic cell death of neutrophils.
Last updated: July, 2018
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Gary Kaiser