Extracellular Traps in Inflammation: Pathways and Therapeutic Targets

New roles for immune cells, overcoming the classical cytotoxic response, have been highlighted by growing evidence. The immune cells, such as neutrophils, monocytes/macrophages, and eosinophils, are versatile cells involved in the release of web-like DNA structures called extracellular traps (ETs) w...

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Main Authors: Stelvio Tonello, Nicole Vercellino, Davide D’Onghia, Alessia Fracchia, Giulia Caria, Daniele Sola, Paolo Amedeo Tillio, Pier Paolo Sainaghi, Donato Colangelo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Life
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/4/627
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author Stelvio Tonello
Nicole Vercellino
Davide D’Onghia
Alessia Fracchia
Giulia Caria
Daniele Sola
Paolo Amedeo Tillio
Pier Paolo Sainaghi
Donato Colangelo
author_facet Stelvio Tonello
Nicole Vercellino
Davide D’Onghia
Alessia Fracchia
Giulia Caria
Daniele Sola
Paolo Amedeo Tillio
Pier Paolo Sainaghi
Donato Colangelo
author_sort Stelvio Tonello
collection DOAJ
description New roles for immune cells, overcoming the classical cytotoxic response, have been highlighted by growing evidence. The immune cells, such as neutrophils, monocytes/macrophages, and eosinophils, are versatile cells involved in the release of web-like DNA structures called extracellular traps (ETs) which represent a relevant mechanism by which these cells prevent microbes’ dissemination. In this process, many enzymes, such as elastase, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and microbicidal nuclear and granule proteins, which contribute to the clearance of entrapped microorganisms after DNA binding, are involved. However, an overproduction and release of ETs can cause unwanted and dangerous effects in the host, resulting in several pathological manifestations, among which are chronic inflammatory disorders, autoimmune diseases, cancer, and diabetes. In this review, we discuss the release mechanisms and the double-edged sword role of ETs both in physiological and in pathological contexts. In addition, we evaluated some possible strategies to target ETs aimed at either preventing their formation or degrading existing ones.
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spelling doaj-art-5272aa7d4e8e41e7b0e7960f75ae47772025-08-20T03:13:47ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292025-04-0115462710.3390/life15040627Extracellular Traps in Inflammation: Pathways and Therapeutic TargetsStelvio Tonello0Nicole Vercellino1Davide D’Onghia2Alessia Fracchia3Giulia Caria4Daniele Sola5Paolo Amedeo Tillio6Pier Paolo Sainaghi7Donato Colangelo8Dipartimento di Medicina Traslazionale, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Via Solaroli 17, 28100 Novara, ItalyDipartimento di Medicina Traslazionale, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Via Solaroli 17, 28100 Novara, ItalyDipartimento di Medicina Traslazionale, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Via Solaroli 17, 28100 Novara, ItalyDipartimento di Medicina Traslazionale, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Via Solaroli 17, 28100 Novara, ItalyDipartimento di Medicina Traslazionale, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Via Solaroli 17, 28100 Novara, ItalyLaboratory of Metabolic Research, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, 28824 Oggebbio, ItalyClinical Chemistry Laboratory, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, 28100 Novara, ItalyDipartimento di Medicina Traslazionale, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Via Solaroli 17, 28100 Novara, ItalyDipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Farmacologia, Scuola di Medicina, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Via Solaroli 17, 28100 Novara, ItalyNew roles for immune cells, overcoming the classical cytotoxic response, have been highlighted by growing evidence. The immune cells, such as neutrophils, monocytes/macrophages, and eosinophils, are versatile cells involved in the release of web-like DNA structures called extracellular traps (ETs) which represent a relevant mechanism by which these cells prevent microbes’ dissemination. In this process, many enzymes, such as elastase, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and microbicidal nuclear and granule proteins, which contribute to the clearance of entrapped microorganisms after DNA binding, are involved. However, an overproduction and release of ETs can cause unwanted and dangerous effects in the host, resulting in several pathological manifestations, among which are chronic inflammatory disorders, autoimmune diseases, cancer, and diabetes. In this review, we discuss the release mechanisms and the double-edged sword role of ETs both in physiological and in pathological contexts. In addition, we evaluated some possible strategies to target ETs aimed at either preventing their formation or degrading existing ones.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/4/627ETsETosisNETsNETosisneutrophilsinflammation
spellingShingle Stelvio Tonello
Nicole Vercellino
Davide D’Onghia
Alessia Fracchia
Giulia Caria
Daniele Sola
Paolo Amedeo Tillio
Pier Paolo Sainaghi
Donato Colangelo
Extracellular Traps in Inflammation: Pathways and Therapeutic Targets
Life
ETs
ETosis
NETs
NETosis
neutrophils
inflammation
title Extracellular Traps in Inflammation: Pathways and Therapeutic Targets
title_full Extracellular Traps in Inflammation: Pathways and Therapeutic Targets
title_fullStr Extracellular Traps in Inflammation: Pathways and Therapeutic Targets
title_full_unstemmed Extracellular Traps in Inflammation: Pathways and Therapeutic Targets
title_short Extracellular Traps in Inflammation: Pathways and Therapeutic Targets
title_sort extracellular traps in inflammation pathways and therapeutic targets
topic ETs
ETosis
NETs
NETosis
neutrophils
inflammation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/4/627
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