NETose

NETosis (from: Neutrophil Extracellular Traps - NETs) is defined as a special form of cell death that occurs in neutrophil granulocytes.

In NETosis, the envelope around the nucleus of the granulocyte first disintegrates, the granules of the cytoplasm dissolve and mix with each other. At the end of this process, the cell membrane ruptures and the mixture of DNA and granular proteins escapes into the extracellular space.

The chromosomal DNA aggregates into thread-like structures that form NETs, a kind of three-dimensional network.

Attached to the DNA fibers are the antimicrobial proteins of the neutrophil granules such as: cathepsin G, lactoferrin, myeloperoxidase, which can now actively intervene in the defense against microbial agents. In addition to their role in immune defense, NETs play a role in the interaction of the immune system with coagulation, e.g. in the formation of thrombi.

The activation of neutrophilic granulocytes by lipopolysaccarides (LPS), interleukin-8 (IL-8), by various microbial pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella flexneri as well as mycotic pathogens (Candida albicans) led to the formation of NETs.

1. Desai J et al (2016) Matters of life and death. How neutrophils die or survive along NET release and is "NETosis" = necroptosis? Cell Mol Life Sci 73: 2211-2219.
2. Kobayashi Y (2015) Neutrophil biology: an update. EXCLI J 14:220-227.
3. Weber C et al (2013) Neutrophil granulocytes: central column of the innate immune system. Allergo J 22: 100-101