Microbial killing: oxidants, proteases and ions

Curr Biol. 2002 May 14;12(10):R357-9. doi: 10.1016/s0960-9822(02)00859-x.

Abstract

There is accumulating evidence that two aspects of the innate immune response, the respiratory burst and secretion of proteases, are intimately intertwined. A recent study suggests that K(+) may be the missing link. Is it time to merge signal transduction with biophysics?

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Endopeptidases / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate*
  • Ions
  • Neutrophils / cytology
  • Neutrophils / enzymology
  • Neutrophils / immunology*
  • Neutrophils / metabolism*
  • Oxidants / metabolism*
  • Phagosomes / metabolism
  • Potassium / metabolism*
  • Respiratory Burst

Substances

  • Ions
  • Oxidants
  • Endopeptidases
  • Potassium