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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

Methods to Study Lipid Alterations in Neutrophils and the Subsequent Formation of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps
10:58

Methods to Study Lipid Alterations in Neutrophils and the Subsequent Formation of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps

Published on: March 29, 2017

Shrimp hemocytes release extracellular traps that kill bacteria.

Tze Hann Ng1, Sheng-Hsiung Chang, Miao-Hsien Wu

  • 1Institute of Biotechnology, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan.

Developmental and Comparative Immunology
|July 3, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Shrimp immune cells form extracellular traps (ETs) to capture and kill bacteria, a defense mechanism previously unknown in invertebrates. This discovery reveals a conserved ancient immune strategy in crustaceans like Litopenaeus vannamei.

Keywords:
Extracellular trapsHemocytesShrimp

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Published on: February 11, 2010

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Marine Biology
  • Crustacean Research

Background:

  • Extracellular traps (ETs) are a vertebrate immune defense mechanism.
  • ETs involve the release of DNA, histones, and antimicrobial proteins from immune cells to trap pathogens.
  • The presence of ETs in invertebrates, particularly crustaceans, has not been previously demonstrated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the formation and function of extracellular traps (ETs) in the shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei.
  • To determine if shrimp immune cells can produce ETs in response to pathogenic stimulation.
  • To characterize the components and bacterial-trapping capabilities of shrimp ETs.

Main Methods:

  • Stimulation of shrimp hemocytes with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and live Escherichia coli.
  • Microscopic analysis to observe the formation of extracellular fibers.
  • Immunofluorescence to detect the co-localization of histone proteins with extracellular DNA.
  • Assessment of bacterial trapping and permeabilization by the ETs.

Main Results:

  • Shrimp hemocytes stimulated with PMA, LPS, and E. coli formed characteristic extracellular fibers composed of host cell DNA.
  • Histone proteins were found to co-localize with these DNA fibers after E. coli stimulation.
  • The shrimp ETs effectively trapped E. coli, leading to bacterial permeabilization.

Conclusions:

  • Litopenaeus vannamei possesses the capability to form extracellular traps (ETs).
  • Shrimp ETs share characteristics with vertebrate ETs, including DNA and histone involvement.
  • This finding suggests a conserved ancient immune defense mechanism in invertebrates and vertebrates.