The protein that sets traps

Our immune system has many ways of eliminating pathogens. For the past twenty years, our department has been researching a specific mechanism: neutrophil extracellular traps. In this process, immune cells release their DNA like a net to trap pathogens. We have now discovered the protein behind this mechanism. Myeloperoxidase first breaks down the DNA packaging units so that they can be released. It then binds to the resulting DNA nets and produces acid to neutralize trapped pathogens.