The clinical value of neutrophil extracellular traps.
Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have recently been discovered as a central part of antimicrobial innate immunity. In the meanwhile, evidence accumulated that NETs are also generated upon non-infectious stimuli in various clinical settings. In acute or chronic inflammatory disorders aberrantly enhanced NET formation and/or decreased NET degradation seems to correlate with disease outcome. This review summarizes current knowledge about the relation of NETs in a broad spectrum of clinical settings. Specifically, we focus on the importance of NETs as a predictive marker in severely ill patients and further, we speculate about the potential pathophysiology of NETs.
Lögters
Tim
T
Department of Trauma and Hand Surgery, Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany.
Margraf
Stefan
S
Altrichter
Jens
J
Cinatl
Jindrich
J
Mitzner
Steffen
S
Windolf
Joachim
J
Scholz
Martin
M
D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D018375:Neutrophil Activation; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology