Cardiovascular Diseases: Consider Netosis

Abstract

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are net-like chromatin fibers that are released from dying neutrophils during infections. NETs are a sort of scaffold, ideal to retain microbes. The main function of NETs is the trapping and killing pathogens, as such as bacteria, fungi, viruses (including SARS-CoV-2) and protozoa. The death of neutrophils via NETs formation is called "NETosis." Nevertheless, recent studies suggest that NETosis is involved in several diseases, other than infections. Very recently, it has been shown that NETs formation contributes to venous thromboembolism but also to atherosclerosis progression, creating a link between venous and arterial thrombosis. The presence of NETs in the luminal portion of human atherosclerotic vessels and coronary specimens obtained from patients after acute myocardial infarction has been detected. This review provides evidence of the most important updates about the role of NETs in myocardial infarction, in heart failure and in the process of atherosclerosis itself. The prognostic significance of NETs-related markers in cardiovascular diseases will be discussed, in order to assess targeted therapeutic strategies.