Bad Actors in COVID-19? (IMAGE) Boston Children's Hospital Caption Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are webs of DNA and toxic protein that neutrophils release to entrap microbes. But they can also cause blood clots, which may contribute to lung inflammation in COVID-19. This image shows a neutrophil in blue releasing unwound DNA, the backbone of NETs. The dots show proteins modified during NET formation (green, citrullinated histone H4, in green) or released by neutrophils and bound to NETs (myeloperoxidase, in red). Credit Lucas de Meglio and Patrick Munzer, Boston Children's Hospital Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.