Fig. 3: Mechanisms of microorganisms for escape from extracellular traps.

a Extracellular traps consisting of a DNA scaffold and granule proteins entrap and kill microorganisms6,7,14,152. Certain pathogens have developed properties for escaping the physical entrapment by (b) encapsulation of bacteria to shield against traps51 or (c) release of endonucleases to degrade the extracellular DNA scaffold leading to less efficient killing of bacteria49,50.