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Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Invasion of Human Cells by a Bacterial Pathogen

Invasion of Human Cells by a Bacterial Pathogen

Published on: March 21, 2011

Neutrophil extracellular traps kill bacteria.

Volker Brinkmann¹, Ulrike Reichard, Christian Goosmann

¹Microscopy Core Facility, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Schumannstrasse 21/22, 10117 Berlin, Germany.

Science (New York, N.Y.)

|March 6, 2004

Summary

Neutrophils release neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) that bind and kill bacteria. These traps also degrade bacterial virulence factors, offering a novel innate immune defense against infection.

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Area of Science:

Immunology
Microbiology
Cell Biology

Background:

Neutrophils are key immune cells that engulf and eliminate bacteria.
Antimicrobial granule fusion with the phagosome is a primary mechanism for bacterial killing.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate a novel mechanism of neutrophil-mediated bacterial killing.
To characterize the structure and function of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs).

Main Methods:

Activation of neutrophils to induce the release of granule proteins and chromatin.
Observation of extracellular fiber formation and bacterial binding.
Assessment of NETs' antimicrobial activity and in vivo presence.

Main Results:

Activated neutrophils release granule proteins and chromatin, forming extracellular fibers (NETs).
NETs effectively bind and kill both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
NETs degrade bacterial virulence factors and are present in vivo during acute inflammation.

Conclusions:

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) represent a significant innate immune mechanism.
NETs prevent pathogen spread and concentrate antimicrobial agents at infection sites.
NETs play a crucial role in combating bacterial infections and inflammation.