Mechanism of Metastasis (IMAGE) Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Caption A few scattered white blood cells called neutrophils (red) are seen in normal mouse lung tissue, far left. Four hours after an agent is delivered nasally to promote lung inflammation, the number of neutrophils visibly increases, and web-like DNA "NETs" (green) become visible for the first time. Neutrophils and NETs come to dominate the scene on succeeding days as the inflammatory agent is again delivered. The direct relation of inflammation and NET formation can result in the reawakening of dormant cancer cells if they are in the immediate vicinity--one mechanism of metastasis. Credit Egeblad lab, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory 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.