title: Interaction of Bacterial Exotoxins with Neutrophil Extracellular Traps: Impact for the Infected Host.
abstract: Since their discovery in 2004, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have been characterized as a fundamental host innate immune defense against various pathogens. Released in response to infectious and pro-inflammatory stimuli, NETs can immobilize invading pathogens within a fibrous matrix consisting of DNA, histones, and antimicrobial peptides. Conversely, excessive or dysregulated NET release may hold a variety of detrimental consequences for the host. A fine balance between NET formation and elimination is necessary to sustain a protective effect during infectious challenge. In recent years, a number of microbial virulence factors have been shown to modulate formation of NETs, thereby facilitating colonization or spread within the host. In this mini-review we summarize the contemporary research on the interaction of bacterial exotoxins with neutrophils that modulate NET production, focusing particular attention on consequences for the host. Understanding host-pathogen dynamics in this extracellular battlefield of innate immunity may provide novel therapeutic approaches for infectious and inflammatory disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiological Chemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine HannoverHannover, Germany; Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine HannoverHannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Maren
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: von Köckritz-Blickwede
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiological Chemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Blodkamp
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Pharmacology and Drug Discovery, San Diego School of Medicine, University of California La Jolla, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nizet
keywords: cell death; leukocidin; macrophages; neutrophils; phagocyte extracellular traps