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Neutrophil granulocytes, or neutrophils for short, are a specific type of white blood cell. They are the most abundant cells of the human natural defense system and responsible for the destruction of bacteria and fungi. If there are too few neutrophils or they do not work properly, threaten life-threatening infections.

Now a research group led by Hans-Uwe Simon of the Institute of Pharmacology discovered that neutrophils destroy bacteria on an intact structure. Mitochondria, the so-called "cell power plants" are dependent. Scientists have reported this in the journal "Nature Communications", as reported by the University of Bern

Sophisticated Strategy

Until now, it has been assumed that mitochondria, that are poorly present in neutrophils, have no special meaning and only for natural extinction these cells are responsible. However, as the study shows, mitochondria in neutrophils play a key role in the entire immune system.

Scientists have studied a sophisticated neutrophil strategy to eliminate bacteria. White blood cells create networks of DNA and toxic proteins in the blood and tissues. This allows them to capture and kill bacteria.

Specifically, researchers investigated Optic Atrophy 1 (OPA1) protein in neutrophil mitochondria. They have been able to prove that this protein not only determines the shape of mitochondria, but also their function. The mitochondrial OPA1 protein ensures sufficient availability of NAD + (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) – a core molecule to generate additional energy in the cytoplasm.

Significant additional energy

Scientists around Simon were able to experimentally show that this energy is needed to release mitochondria DNA into the environment and to form DNA networks to prevent l & # 39; infection. They were able to show that OPA1 is of fundamental importance to the human immune system.

From these observations, the researchers derive new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of infectious diseases in which the OPA1 protein could be selectively activated in neutrophils. The study focused on the institutes of pharmacology and clinical chemistry of the Faculty of Medicine, the Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology of the Vetsuisse faculty of the University of Bern, the pediatric clinic of the University of Bern. Inselspital and other German and foreign research groups