Neutrophil Extracellular Trap

**Semantic type:** Anatomical Structure

**Definition:** A network of extracellular fibrillar structures containing granule proteins, chromatin fibers and DNA that are released by neutrophils as part of the host defense response. Extracellular release of antimicrobial proteins such as neutrophil elastase, cathepsin G and histones can bind, disarm, and kill microbes independent of phagocytosis and the fibrillar nature of these structures may target these effects locally by preventing diffusion of these proteins outside the target site.

**Synonyms:** - NET