Chief Scientist Presents: Neutrophils Extracellular Traps in Hemodialysis Patients / Idan Cohen

This webinar, given in the framework of the Chief Scientist Presents webinar series by Dr. Idan Cohen from the Emek Medical Center, discusses the formation of Neutrophils Extracellular Traps (NETs) in hemodialysis patients. Neutrophil extracellular traps are formed in a recently discovered process called NETosis. NETosis is a regulated form of neutrophil cell death that leads to the formation of NETs, which consist of modified chromatin with bactericidal proteins from granules and cytoplasm. Various pathogens, antibodies and immune complexes, cytokines and other physiological stimuli can cause NETosis. NETosis is a mechanism that assists in catching and eliminating infectious microorganisms and in preventing the spread of infections in the body.
Hemodialysis patients with renal failure suffer from reoccurring infections that lead to recurrent hospitalizations and death. Data presented in this webinar shows that neutrophils in hemodialysis patients exhibit impaired NET formation leading to clinical susceptibility to bacteremia.