Non-oxygen-dependent mechanisms
Phagocytes may also kill engulfed microbes by mechanisms not involving aerobic metabolism. These include the reduction of pH within the phagolysosomes by the action of acid hydrolases.
Also, there are a variety of enzymes within the neutrophil granules which aid destruction of microbes e.g.:
- lysozyme: hydrolyzes the glycopeptide bacterial coat
- lactoferrin: iron-binding protein that scavenges it away from microbial enzymes
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