1932

Abstract

▪ Abstract 

Neutrophils provide the first line of defense of the innate immune system by phagocytosing, killing, and digesting bacteria and fungi. Killing was previously believed to be accomplished by oxygen free radicals and other reactive oxygen species generated by the NADPH oxidase, and by oxidized halides produced by myeloperoxidase. We now know this is incorrect. The oxidase pumps electrons into the phagocytic vacuole, thereby inducing a charge across the membrane that must be compensated. The movement of compensating ions produces conditions in the vacuole conducive to microbial killing and digestion by enzymes released into the vacuole from the cytoplasmic granules.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1146/annurev.immunol.23.021704.115653
2005-04-23
2024-03-29
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

/content/journals/10.1146/annurev.immunol.23.021704.115653
Loading
/content/journals/10.1146/annurev.immunol.23.021704.115653
Loading

Data & Media loading...

  • Article Type: Review Article
This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error