Table 1.

Arguments for NETosis as a direct stimulus for autoimmunity.

1. NETosis is induced in the presence of pro-inflammatory stimuli

2. NETosis is a physiological circumstance that leads to chromatin externalization

3. NET chromatin tightly associates with microbial (foreign) antigens

4. The “jumble” of NET chromatin and microbes is likely taken up by phagocytes, processed and presented to the adaptive immune system.