Invertebrate extracellular phagocyte traps show that chromatin is an ancient defence weapon

Invertebrate extracellular phagocyte traps show that chromatin is an ancient defence weapon

Controlled release of chromatin from the nuclei of inflammatory cells is a process that entraps and kills microorganisms in the extracellular environment. Now termed ETosis, it is important for innate immunity in vertebrates. Paradoxically, however, in mammals, it can also contribute to certain pathologies. Here we show that ETosis occurs in several invertebrate species, including, remarkably, ...

Statins enhance formation of phagocyte extracellular traps.

Statins are inhibitors of 3-hydroxy 3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis. Recent clinico-epidemiologic studies correlate patients receiving statin therapy with having reduced mortality associated with severe bacterial infection. Investigating the effect of statins on the innate immune capacity of phagocytic cells against the human...

Neutrophil extracellular traps: Is immunity the second function of chromatin?

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are made of processed chromatin bound to granular and selected cytoplasmic proteins. NETs are released by white blood cells called neutrophils, maybe as a last resort, to control microbial infections. This release of chromatin is the result of a unique form of cell death, dubbed "NETosis." Here we review our understanding of how NETs are made, their functio...

Visualization and Functional Evaluation of Phagocyte Extracellular Traps

Extracellular Chromatin Traps Interconnect Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Immunology

because the reaction pathway of this enzyme is understood in molecular detail. Leshner et al. (2012) provide an elegant illustration of PAD4’s potential to induce NETs. They demonstrate that overexpression of PAD4 in heterologous cells leads to chromatin decondensation and unfolding of NET-like chromatin. Induced PAD4 expression leads to histone deimination and the release of NET-like webs from...