Neutrophils facing biofilms: The battle of the barriers

Abstract

In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Thanabalasuriar et al. (2019) show how neutrophils and biofilm-forming bacteria respond reciprocally, resulting in the formation of a barricade comprised of neutrophil extracellular traps. Disrupting this exchange and the resulting barrier can be detrimental unless balanced in favor of the immune system.