Print Close WindowNeutrophils are essential components of the innate immune response and the first line of defence in the struggle between the immune system and invading microorganisms. Most studies addressing microbial killing by neutrophils have investigated the ability of these immune cells to engulf pathogens by phagocytosis and the arsenal they deploy to eliminate pathogens within the intracellular phagocytic vacuoles. An important recent development regarding neutrophil biology has been the discovery of extracellular neutrophil traps (NETs), which are an additional microbial killing mechanism deployed by neutrophils. NETs are extracellular structures composed of granular and nuclear neutrophil constituents that capture and kill bacteria extracellularly. The production of NETs by neutrophils constitutes a fascinating field or research since many facets regarding the formation of these remarkable structures remains to be unravelled. More interestingly, various microbial pathogens have developed strategies that enable them to evade killing by NETs. In this editorial issue, we will provide an overview of the most recent, promising developments in the field of neutrophil anti-microbial NET biology with emphasis into the nature of how neutrophils become committed to NET formation in response to pathogenic stimulation.
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