How does cell-free DNA come into the blood? - Part 2
In the last post, we saw how cells release DNA actively . By actively, we mean that the cells put in effort to release the DNA for a purpose. Can cells also release DNA without any effort? Yes, of course, that is passive release of DNA. We saw one way of passive release last time and that is NETosis suicidal. To recap, NETosis is a process in which some types of WBCs release NETs to catch microbes. NET stands for neutrophil extracellular traps, a mixture of DNA and protein. This acts like a net to catch microbes like bacteria. We also learned that there two types of NETosis: vital and suicidal. In vital, the cell remains alive. But in NETosis suicidal, the cells burst to release the NETs or neutrophil extracellular traps. In fact, most processes of passive DNA release involve a form of cell death. Let's look at some of them. Apoptosis Apoptosis is also known as programmed cell death. The apoptosis comes from Ancient Greek, meaning "falling off" of leaves fr...