Amoebae As Host Models To Study The Interaction With Pathogens

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Amoebae as Host Models to Study the Interaction with Pathogens

Author : Sascha Thewes
Publisher : Frontiers Media SA
ISBN 13 : 2889459357
Total Pages : 169 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (894 download)

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Book Synopsis Amoebae as Host Models to Study the Interaction with Pathogens by : Sascha Thewes

Download or read book Amoebae as Host Models to Study the Interaction with Pathogens written by Sascha Thewes and published by Frontiers Media SA. This book was released on 2019-08-27 with total page 169 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The human body is constantly faced with microorganisms. Most of these bacteria, fungi, and viruses are harmless, many of them are beneficial, and a small fraction is pathogenic. For humans, infection with pathogenic microorganisms can be very serious or even fatal, ranging from mild transient or chronic infections to death. The first line of defence against pathogens is our innate immune system. Beside chemical and physical defence mechanisms of the innate immune system, phagocytic cells such as macrophages play a crucial role in the fight against pathogenic microorganisms. However, phagocytic cells and pathogens are in a constant evolutionary arms race, inventing new strategies to successfully kill pathogens and learning how to resist phagocytosis and intracellular killing, respectively. If pathogens are not obligatory adapted to the human body or other animals, they also have to face environmental phagocytes in the form of amoebae. Many aspects of phagocytosis and intracellular killing are surprisingly well conserved between amoebae and macrophages. Therefore, pathogens that have evolved with environmental amoebae as their “training grounds” can also be successful during infection of macrophages and other animal phagocytic cells. In this Research Topic, we provide the latest knowledge about the potential of using amoebae as host models to study the interaction with pathogens. The Research Topic covers the interaction of amoebae with bacteria, fungi, and viruses and also illustrates the similarities and differences between amoebae and macrophages. Investigation of evolutionary conserved pathways of amoebae and macrophages furthers our understanding of the biology of host-pathogen interactions and helps to develop new anti-infection therapies.

Development of an Amoebal Model to Study Host-pathogen Interaction

Author : Matthew J. Hundt
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 272 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (611 download)

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Book Synopsis Development of an Amoebal Model to Study Host-pathogen Interaction by : Matthew J. Hundt

Download or read book Development of an Amoebal Model to Study Host-pathogen Interaction written by Matthew J. Hundt and published by . This book was released on 2005 with total page 272 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Recent Advances on Model Hosts

Author : Eleftherios Mylonakis
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 1441956387
Total Pages : 135 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (419 download)

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Book Synopsis Recent Advances on Model Hosts by : Eleftherios Mylonakis

Download or read book Recent Advances on Model Hosts written by Eleftherios Mylonakis and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2011-12-01 with total page 135 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Most studies of bacterial or fungal infectious diseases focus separately on the pathogenic microbe, the host response, or the characterization of therapeutic compounds. Compartmentalization of pathogenesis-related research into an analysis of the “pathogen”, the “host,” or the “antimicrobial compound” has largely been dictated by the lack of model systems in which all of these approaches can be used simultaneously, as well as by the traditional view that microbiology, immunology, and chemical biology and pharmacology are separate disciplines. An increasing number of workers from different fields have turned to insects, fish, worms and other model hosts as facile, ethically expedient, relatively simple, and inexpensive hosts to model a variety of human infectious diseases and to study host responses and innate immunity. Because many of these hosts are genetically tractable, they can be used in conjunction with an appropriate pathogen to facilitate the discovery of novel features of the host innate immune response. This book provides a series of reports from the 1st International Conference on Model Hosts. This first of its kind meeting focused on invertebrate, vertebrate and amoeboid systems used for the study of host-pathogen interactions, virulence and immunity, as well as on the relevance of these pathogenesis systems and mammalian models. Importantly, a common, fundamental set of molecular mechanisms is employed by a significant number of microbial pathogens against a widely divergent array of metazoan hosts. Moreover, the evolutionarily conserved immune responses of these model hosts have contributed important insights to our understanding of the innate immune response of mammals. This book provides a series of reports from the 1st International Conference on Model Hosts. This first of its kind meeting focused on invertebrate, vertebrate and amoeboid systems used for the study of host-pathogen interactions, virulence and immunity, as well as on the relevance of these pathogenesis systems and mammalian models. Importantly, a common, fundamental set of molecular mechanisms is employed by a significant number of microbial pathogens against a widely divergent array of metazoan hosts. Moreover, the evolutionarily conserved immune responses of these model hosts have contributed important insights to our understanding of the innate immune response of mammals.

Molecular Biology of the Cell

Author :
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9780815332183
Total Pages : 0 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (321 download)

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Book Synopsis Molecular Biology of the Cell by :

Download or read book Molecular Biology of the Cell written by and published by . This book was released on 2002 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

The Social Biology of Microbial Communities

Author : Institute of Medicine
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309264324
Total Pages : 633 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (92 download)

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Book Synopsis The Social Biology of Microbial Communities by : Institute of Medicine

Download or read book The Social Biology of Microbial Communities written by Institute of Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2013-01-10 with total page 633 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Beginning with the germ theory of disease in the 19th century and extending through most of the 20th century, microbes were believed to live their lives as solitary, unicellular, disease-causing organisms . This perception stemmed from the focus of most investigators on organisms that could be grown in the laboratory as cellular monocultures, often dispersed in liquid, and under ambient conditions of temperature, lighting, and humidity. Most such inquiries were designed to identify microbial pathogens by satisfying Koch's postulates.3 This pathogen-centric approach to the study of microorganisms produced a metaphorical "war" against these microbial invaders waged with antibiotic therapies, while simultaneously obscuring the dynamic relationships that exist among and between host organisms and their associated microorganisms-only a tiny fraction of which act as pathogens. Despite their obvious importance, very little is actually known about the processes and factors that influence the assembly, function, and stability of microbial communities. Gaining this knowledge will require a seismic shift away from the study of individual microbes in isolation to inquiries into the nature of diverse and often complex microbial communities, the forces that shape them, and their relationships with other communities and organisms, including their multicellular hosts. On March 6 and 7, 2012, the Institute of Medicine's (IOM's) Forum on Microbial Threats hosted a public workshop to explore the emerging science of the "social biology" of microbial communities. Workshop presentations and discussions embraced a wide spectrum of topics, experimental systems, and theoretical perspectives representative of the current, multifaceted exploration of the microbial frontier. Participants discussed ecological, evolutionary, and genetic factors contributing to the assembly, function, and stability of microbial communities; how microbial communities adapt and respond to environmental stimuli; theoretical and experimental approaches to advance this nascent field; and potential applications of knowledge gained from the study of microbial communities for the improvement of human, animal, plant, and ecosystem health and toward a deeper understanding of microbial diversity and evolution. The Social Biology of Microbial Communities: Workshop Summary further explains the happenings of the workshop.

Management of Legionella in Water Systems

Author : National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 030949382X
Total Pages : 291 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (94 download)

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Book Synopsis Management of Legionella in Water Systems by : National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Download or read book Management of Legionella in Water Systems written by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2020-02-20 with total page 291 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Legionnaires' disease, a pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacterium, is the leading cause of reported waterborne disease outbreaks in the United States. Legionella occur naturally in water from many different environmental sources, but grow rapidly in the warm, stagnant conditions that can be found in engineered water systems such as cooling towers, building plumbing, and hot tubs. Humans are primarily exposed to Legionella through inhalation of contaminated aerosols into the respiratory system. Legionnaires' disease can be fatal, with between 3 and 33 percent of Legionella infections leading to death, and studies show the incidence of Legionnaires' disease in the United States increased five-fold from 2000 to 2017. Management of Legionella in Water Systems reviews the state of science on Legionella contamination of water systems, specifically the ecology and diagnosis. This report explores the process of transmission via water systems, quantification, prevention and control, and policy and training issues that affect the incidence of Legionnaires' disease. It also analyzes existing knowledge gaps and recommends research priorities moving forward.

Phagocyte-pathogen Interactions

Author : Ling Yan
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (563 download)

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Book Synopsis Phagocyte-pathogen Interactions by : Ling Yan

Download or read book Phagocyte-pathogen Interactions written by Ling Yan and published by . This book was released on 2004 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Among the various pathogens, their interactions with phagocytes display common themes as well as unique features. A thorough study of host factors involved in these interactions will not only deepen our understanding of pathogenesis, but also provide insight into fundamental aspects of eukaryotic cell biology. We used Legionella pneumophila, the bacteria causing Legionnaires' disease, as a model microorganism to dissect the host factors involved in parasitizing macrophages and environmental phagocytes such as amoebae. We characterized a murine alveolar macrophage cell line, MH-S, as a suitable in vitro model for Legionella. MH-S cells display similar characteristics to human primary macrophages during the intracellular replication and trafficking of L. pneumophila. Comparison of phagocytosis of L. pneumophila and latex beads by seven macrophage cell lines suggest that U-937 and THP-1 posses differences that are specific to phagocytosis of L. pneumophila. We investigated the role of integrin [alpha]6, a highly expressed surface molecule in U-937, as a potential receptor for Legionella. Antibody blocking and RNA interference studies suggest that integrin [alpha]6 plays a role during interactions of L. pneumophila with macrophages and epithelial cells. The interactions of Legionella with environmental protozoa, such as Acanthamoeba castellanii, share similarities with that of macrophages. We isolated four A. castellanii variants using Legionella cytocidal activity as a selection. These variants display reduced phagocytosis of bacteria, enhanced bacterial killing as well as increased lysosome fusion with bacterial phagosomes. Proteomic studies demonstrated that hsp90 protein levels are reduced in the variants. Inhibition of hsp90 reduces phagocytosis and intracellular eplication of Legionella in macrophages, suggesting that hsp90 plays an important role in phagocytosis and intracellular replication of Legionella. Thus, these studies have resulted in the development of improved host virulence models as well as an enhanced understanding of host-pathogen interactions.

Molecular Mechanisms in Legionella Pathogenesis

Author : Hubert Hilbi
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 3642405916
Total Pages : 297 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (424 download)

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Book Synopsis Molecular Mechanisms in Legionella Pathogenesis by : Hubert Hilbi

Download or read book Molecular Mechanisms in Legionella Pathogenesis written by Hubert Hilbi and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2014-07-08 with total page 297 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Legionnaires’ disease, a potentially fatal type of pneumonia primarily affecting elderly and immuno-compromised persons, is caused by the ubiquitous environmental bacterium Legionella pneumophila. This book offers authoritative reviews of different facets of its virulence, focusing on comparative phagocyte infection, virulence gene regulation, biochemical functions of effector proteins and cellular pathogen-host interactions, as well as host responses and immunity to L. pneumophila. Taken together, the contributions in this compilation provide a state-of-the-art overview of current insights into the molecular pathogenesis of the opportunistic and potentially fatal pathogen L. pneumophila.

Acanthamoeba

Author : Naveed Ahmed Khan
Publisher : Caister Academic Press Limited
ISBN 13 : 9781908230508
Total Pages : 0 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (35 download)

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Book Synopsis Acanthamoeba by : Naveed Ahmed Khan

Download or read book Acanthamoeba written by Naveed Ahmed Khan and published by Caister Academic Press Limited. This book was released on 2015 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This fully up-to-date book covers all aspects of Acanthamoeba biology. Following the success of the first edition, the author has extensively revised and expanded the text to produce a new volume that includes all the latest research and information on every aspect of this organism. There is a particular emphasis on the Acanthamoeba genome sequence and the novel insights gained from the application of molecular methods to Acanthamoeba developmental/cellular biology, in terms of metabolism and morphogenesis, classification, ecology and role in the ecosystem, host-pathogen interactions, virulence factors and immunological basis of pathogenesis, clinical manifestation, diagnosis, treatment, new target development, and drug resistance and its interactions with other microbes in the environment. The book will be an essential reference text for parasitologists, microbiologists, immunologists, and physicians in the field of basic and medical microbiology, as well as an invaluable reference for new and experienced researchers who wish to better understand this organism.

Dictyostelium

Author : Richard H. Kessin
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
ISBN 13 : 0521583640
Total Pages : 318 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (215 download)

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Book Synopsis Dictyostelium by : Richard H. Kessin

Download or read book Dictyostelium written by Richard H. Kessin and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2001-01-11 with total page 318 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Dictyostelia are soil amoebae capable of extraordinary feats of survival, motility, chemotaxis, and development. Characterised by their ability to transform from a single-celled organism into an elaborate assemblage of thousands of synchronously-moving cells, Dictyostelids are often referred to as 'social amoebae', and have been the subjects of serious study since the 1930s. Research in this area has been instrumental in understanding many problems in cellular biology. Beginning with the history of Dictyostelids and discussing each stage of their development, this book considers the evolution of this unique organism, analyses the special properties of the Dictyostelid genome, and presents in detail the methods available, at the time of the book's original publication in 2001, to manipulate their genes. Representing the synthesis of such material and with an emphasis on combining classical experiments with modern molecular findings, this book will be essential for researchers and graduates in developmental and cellular biology.

Model Organisms for Microbial Pathogenesis, Biofilm Formation and Antimicrobial Drug Discovery

Author : Busi Siddhardha
Publisher : Springer Nature
ISBN 13 : 9811516952
Total Pages : 685 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (115 download)

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Book Synopsis Model Organisms for Microbial Pathogenesis, Biofilm Formation and Antimicrobial Drug Discovery by : Busi Siddhardha

Download or read book Model Organisms for Microbial Pathogenesis, Biofilm Formation and Antimicrobial Drug Discovery written by Busi Siddhardha and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2020-03-28 with total page 685 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book provides essential insights into microbial pathogenesis, host-pathogen interactions, and the anti-microbial drug resistance of various human pathogens on the basis of various model organisms. The initial sections of the book introduce readers to the mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis, host-pathogen interactions, anti-microbial drug resistance, and the dynamics of biofilm formation. Due to the emergence of various microbial resistant strains, it is especially important to understand the prognosis for microbial infections, disease progression profiles, and mechanisms of resistance to antibiotic therapy in order to develop novel therapeutic strategies. In turn, the second part of the book presents a comparative analysis of various animal models to help readers understand microbial pathogenesis, host-pathogen interactions, anti-microbial drug discovery, anti-biofilm therapeutics, and treatment regimes. Given its scope, the book represents a valuable asset for microbiologists, biotechnologists, medical professionals, drug development researchers, and pharmacologists alike.

Indicators for Waterborne Pathogens

Author : National Research Council
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309091225
Total Pages : 329 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (9 download)

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Book Synopsis Indicators for Waterborne Pathogens by : National Research Council

Download or read book Indicators for Waterborne Pathogens written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2004-06-19 with total page 329 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Recent and forecasted advances in microbiology, molecular biology, and analytical chemistry have made it timely to reassess the current paradigm of relying predominantly or exclusively on traditional bacterial indicators for all types of waterborne pathogens.Â Nonetheless, indicator approaches will still be required for the foreseeable future because it is not practical or feasible to monitor for the complete spectrum of microorganisms that may occur in water, and many known pathogens are difficult to detect directly and reliably in water samples.Â This comprehensive report recommends the development and use of a "tool box" approach by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency and others for assessing microbial water quality in which available indicator organisms (and/or pathogens in some cases) and detection method(s) are matched to the requirements of a particular application.Â The report further recommends the use of a phased, three-level monitoring framework to support the selection of indicators and indicator approaches.Â

Legionella

Author : Carmen Buchrieser
Publisher : Humana Press
ISBN 13 : 9781627031608
Total Pages : 0 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (316 download)

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Book Synopsis Legionella by : Carmen Buchrieser

Download or read book Legionella written by Carmen Buchrieser and published by Humana Press. This book was released on 2012-11-13 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This Methods in Molecular BiologyTM series book presents methods specifically adapted and developed for the study of distinct features of L. pneumophila. Includes materials lists, reproducible protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and pitfalls.

The Mononuclear Phagocyte System in Infectious Disease

Author : Geanncarlo Lugo-Villarino
Publisher : Frontiers Media SA
ISBN 13 : 2889630579
Total Pages : 790 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (896 download)

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Book Synopsis The Mononuclear Phagocyte System in Infectious Disease by : Geanncarlo Lugo-Villarino

Download or read book The Mononuclear Phagocyte System in Infectious Disease written by Geanncarlo Lugo-Villarino and published by Frontiers Media SA. This book was released on 2019-10-04 with total page 790 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Mononuclear Phagocyte System (MPS) of vertebrates is composed of monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells. Together, they form part of the first line of immune defense against a variety of pathogens (bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses), and thus play an important role in maintaining organism homeostasis. The mode of transmission, type of replication and mechanism of disease-causing differ significantly for each pathogen, eliciting a unique immune response in the host. Within this context, the MPS acts as both the sentinel and tailor of the immune system. As sentinels, MPS cells are found in blood and within tissues throughout the body to patrol against pathogenic insult. The strategy to detect 'microbial non-self' relies on MPS to recognize conserved microbial products known as 'pathogen-associated molecular pattern' (PAMPs). PAMPs recognition represents a checkpoint in the response to pathogens and relies on conserved 'pattern recognition receptors' (PRRs). Upon PRR engagement, MPS mount a cell-autonomous attack that includes the internalization and compartmentalization of intracellular pathogens into toxic compartments that promote destruction. In parallel, MPS cells launch an inflammatory response composed of a cellular arm and soluble factors to control extracellular pathogens. In cases when innate immunity fails to eliminate the invading microbe, MPS serves as a tailor to generate adaptive immunity for pathogen eradication and generation of "memory" cells, thus ensuring enhanced protection against re-infection. Indeed, MPS cell functions comprise the capture, process, migration and delivery of antigenic information to lymphoid organs, where type-1 immunity is tailored against intracellular microbes and type-2 immunity against extracellular pathogens. However, this potent adaptive immunity is also a double-edge sword that can cause aberrant inflammatory disorders, like autoimmunity or chronic inflammation. For this reason, MPS also tailors tolerance immunity against unwanted inflammation. Successful clearance of the microbe results in its destruction and proper collection of debris, resolution of inflammation and tissue healing for which MPS is essential. Reciprocally, as part of the evolutionary process taking place in all organisms, microbes evolved strategies to circumvent the actions bestowed by MPS cells. Multiple pathogens modulate the differentiation, maturation and activation programs of the MPS, as an efficient strategy to avoid a dedicated immune response. Among the most common evasion strategies are the subversion of phagocytosis, inhibition of PRR-mediated immunity, resistance to intracellular killing by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, restriction of phagosome maturation, modulation of cellular metabolism and nutrient acquisition, regulation of cell death and autophagy, and modulation of pro-inflammatory responses and hijacking of tolerance mechanisms, among others. The tenet of this eBook is that a better understanding of MPS in infection will yield insights for development of therapeutics to enhance antimicrobial processes or dampen detrimental inflammation for the host's benefit. We believe that contributions to this topic will serve as a platform for discussion and debate about relevant issues and themes in this field. Our aim is to bring expert junior and senior scientists to address recent progress, highlight critical knowledge gaps, foment scientific exchange, and establish conceptual frameworks for future MPS investigation in the context of infectious disease.

Soil Protists

Author : Stefan Geisen
Publisher : Sudwestdeutscher Verlag Fur Hochschulschriften AG
ISBN 13 : 9783838151571
Total Pages : 328 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (515 download)

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Book Synopsis Soil Protists by : Stefan Geisen

Download or read book Soil Protists written by Stefan Geisen and published by Sudwestdeutscher Verlag Fur Hochschulschriften AG. This book was released on 2015-10-13 with total page 328 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Protists are by far the most diverse and abundant eukaryotes in soils. Nevertheless, very little is known about individual representatives, the diversity and community composition and ecological functioning of these important organisms. For instance, soil protists are commonly lumped into a single functional unit, i.e. bacterivores. This work tackles missing knowledge gaps on soil protists and common misconceptions using multi-methodological approaches including cultivation, microcosm experiments and environmental sequencing. In a first part, several new species and genera of amoeboid protists are described showing their immense unknown diversity. In the second part, the enormous complexity of soil protists communities is highlighted using cultivation- and sequence-based approaches. In the third part, the present of diverse mycophagous and nematophagous protists are shown in functional studies on cultivated taxa and their environmental importance supported by sequence-based approaches. This work is just a start for a promising future of soil Protistology that is likely to find other important roles of these diverse organisms.

Dictyostelium: A Tractable Cell and Developmental Model in Biomedical Research

Author : Robert J. Huber
Publisher : Frontiers Media SA
ISBN 13 : 2889761819
Total Pages : 323 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (897 download)

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Book Synopsis Dictyostelium: A Tractable Cell and Developmental Model in Biomedical Research by : Robert J. Huber

Download or read book Dictyostelium: A Tractable Cell and Developmental Model in Biomedical Research written by Robert J. Huber and published by Frontiers Media SA. This book was released on 2022-08-16 with total page 323 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

NETosis: At the Intersection of Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Immunology

Author : Mariana J. Kaplan
Publisher : Frontiers E-books
ISBN 13 : 2889191583
Total Pages : 204 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (891 download)

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Book Synopsis NETosis: At the Intersection of Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Immunology by : Mariana J. Kaplan

Download or read book NETosis: At the Intersection of Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Immunology written by Mariana J. Kaplan and published by Frontiers E-books. This book was released on 2013-08-08 with total page 204 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: NETosis is a unique form of cell death that is characterized by the release of decondensed chromatin and granular contents to the extracellular space. The initial observation of NETosis placed the process within the context of the innate immune response to infections. Neutrophils, the most numerous leukocytes that arrive quickly at the site of an infection, were the first cell type shown to undergo extracellular trap formation. However, subsequent studies showed that other granulocytes are also capable of releasing nuclear chromatin following stimulation. The extracellular chromatin acts to immobilize microbes and prevent their dispersal in the host. Bacterial breakdown products and inflammatory stimuli induce NETosis and the release of NETs requires enzyme activities. Histones in NET chromatin become modified by peptidylarginine deiminase 4 (PAD4) and cleaved at specific sites by proteases. NETs serve for attachment of bactericidal enzymes including myeloperoxidase, leukocyte proteases, and the cathelicidin LL-37. While the benefit of NETs in an infection appears clear, NETs also figure prominently at the center of various pathologic states. Therefore, it is important for NETs to be efficiently cleared; else digestive enzymes may gain access to tissues where inflammation takes place. Persistent NET exposure at sites of inflammation may lead to a further complication: NET antigens may provoke acquired immune responses and, over time, could initiate autoimmune reactions. Recent studies identified aberrant NET synthesis and/or clearance in inflammatory/autoimmune conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), psoriasis, ANCA-positive vasculitis, gout and Felty’s syndrome. In the case of SLE, for example, it appears that LL-37 exposed in the NETs may be a significant trigger of type I Interferon responses in this disease. Recent evidence also implicates aberrant NET formation in the development of endothelial damage, atherosclerosis and thrombosis. NETosis is thus of interest to researchers who investigate innate immune responses, host-pathogen interactions, chronic inflammatory disorders, cell and vascular biology, biochemistry, and autoimmunity. As we approach the 10-year-anniversary of the initial discovery of NETosis, it is useful and timely to review the so far identified mechanisms and pathways of NET formation, their role in bacterial and fungal defense and their putative importance as inducers of autoimmune responses. We look forward to a rich and rigorous discussion of these and related issues that benefit from interdisciplinary approaches, collaborations and exciting discoveries.