Figure 1
From: The role of neutrophils during intestinal inflammation
Neutrophils contain a potent antimicrobial arsenal. The nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase produces reactive oxygen species (ROS), e.g., hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), hypochlorite ion (OCl−), and superoxide anion (O2−) in the phagolysosome during phagocytosis. Various intracellular granules (azurophil or primary, specific or secondary, gelatinase or tertiary, and secretory granules) containing potent antimicrobial agents are also released in the phagolysosome or in the extracellular space through degranulation. Finally, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are also produced during polymorphonuclear leukocytes activation. (Adapted from Cross and Segal,3 Papayannopoulos and Zychlinsky,8 Quinn et al.,176 and Faurschou and Borregard.177)
