Demystifying the prothrombotic role of NETs

Abstract

In this issue of Blood, Noubouossie and colleagues report surprising findings on the role of neutrophil-derived nuclear material in blood coagulation. The authors provide evidence that, in contrast to DNA and histone proteins, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) do not contribute directly to coagulation of human plasma. These findings implicate differential functions of nuclear material in thrombosis and are of importance for the development of antithrombotic therapies targeting NETs.1