Figure 1.

Degradation of extracellular traps (ETs) by the production of pathogen-derived nucleases. Innate immune cells were activated by pathogens, and DNA from nuclei or mitochondria mixed with histones, granular, and cytoplasmic proteins was released to the cellular environment (termed ETs). ETs could immobilize and/or kill the pathogens. However, secreted or cell wall­anchored extracellular nucleases of pathogens were capable of destroying DNA backbones of ETs and contributing to evasion of the immune response and development of persistent infections. G⁺, Gram-positive bacteria; G^-, Gram-negative bacteria; OM, outer membrane; IM, inner membrane; PEG, peptidoglycan.