Neutrophil extracellular trap in human diseases

Abstract

NETosis is a unique death pathway that differs from apoptosis and necrosis and depends on the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by NADPH oxidase. During this process, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are created. NETs are extracellular structures composed of chromatin and variety of proteins from cells granules that bind and kill microorganisms. Recently, novel functions of NET have been proposed. It seems that neutrophil traps play an essential role during autoimmunity. They can induce and exacerbate diseases based on immune system malfunction. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.