FIGURE 1.

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in response to Schistosoma japonicum eggs. Neutrophils become activated when in contact with S japonicum eggs and undergo NETosis—a form of cell death that can leave the neutrophil still viable due to the release of mitochondrial DNA instead of nuclear DNA. NET structures are released, comprised of a DNA backbone with attached histones, antimicrobial peptides and neutrophil granules and enzymes including neutrophil elastase (NE), myeloperoxidase (MPO), lactoferrin and gelatinase among others