Novel role of DNA in neutrophil extracellular traps.
Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have been shown to play a crucial role in health and disease. In a recent paper in PLoS Pathogens, Halverson et al. demonstrate that the DNA backbone of NETs contributes to its antibacterial activity and serves as signal for entrapped microbes to employ immune evasion strategies.
Institute for Bacteriology and Mycology, Centre for Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 29, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
Christoph Georg
CG
Baums
Department of Physiological Chemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany. Electronic address: mkoeckbl@tiho-hannover.de.
Maren
M
von Köckritz-Blickwede
D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004247:DNA / Q000494:pharmacology*; D065206:Extracellular Traps / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology*
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D004247:DNA
DNA; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Staphylococcus aureus; antimicrobial activity; neutrophils