Breakthrough Discovery: How Your Body Fights UTIs Naturally

  Urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect hundreds of millions yearly, causing pain, burning, and frequent urination. While most clear up, some can escalate to kidney infections (pyelonephritis)—but how does the body stop bacteria from reaching the kidneys?

🛡️ Neutrophils & DNA "Nets" – A New Defense Mechanism

For the first time, University of Cambridge researchers found neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs)—sticky DNA webs expelled by immune cells—in human urine. These NETs trap bacteria, preventing kidney infections.

🔎 Key Findings:
✔ NETs exist even in healthy urine—challenging old assumptions.
✔ UMOD protein (linked to fewer UTIs) coats NETs, boosting their bacteria-killing power.
✔ Blocking NETs in mice led to more kidney bacteria, proving their protective role.

🧬 Genetics & UTI Risk

Some people have PADI4 gene variants that:
✔ Reduce UTI risk (better NET formation)
✔ Increase rheumatoid arthritis risk (trade-off between immunity & autoimmunity)

⚠️ Current UTI Tests May Miss Risks

Standard urine dipstick tests only detect NET-forming neutrophils—meaning some patients with intact neutrophils (but no NETs) could still be at risk for kidney infections.

🔮 Future Implications

Researchers now study:

• How neutrophils decide when to form NETs

• Whether too many NETs contribute to chronic cystitis

• Potential new UTI treatments targeting NET-UMOD interactions

💡 Takeaway: Your body has a hidden defense system in your urine—scientists are just beginning to understand it!

Reference

1. Yang X, et al. Disease burden and long-term trends of urinary tract infections: A worldwide report.Front Public Health. 2022;10:888205.
2. Johnson JR, Russo TA. Acute pyelonephritis in adults.N Engl J Med. 2018;378(1):48-59.
3. Haraoka M, et al. Neutrophil recruitment and resistance to urinary tract infection.J Infect Dis. 1999;180(4):1220-1229
4. Brinkmann V, et al. Neutrophil extracellular traps kill bacteria.Science. 2004;303(5663):1532-1535.
5. Stewart AP, et al. Neutrophil extracellular traps protect the kidney from ascending infection and are required for a positive leukocyte dipstick test.Sci Transl Med. 2024;16(766):eadh5090.
6. Lhotta K. Uromodulin and chronic kidney disease.Kidney Blood Press Res. 2010;33(5):393–398.