Neutrophils possess a diverse repertoire of pathogen clearance mechanisms, one of which is the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). NETs are complexes of histone proteins and DNA coated with proteolytic enzymes that are released extracellularly to entrap pathogens and aid in their clearance, in a process known as NETosis. Intravascular NETosis may drive a massive inflammatory response that has been shown to contribute to morbidity and mortality in many infectious diseases, including malaria, dengue fever, influenza, bacterial sepsis, and SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this review we seek to: (1) summarize the current understanding of NETs; (2) discuss infectious diseases in which NET formation contributes to morbidity and mortality; and (3) explore potential adjunctive therapeutics that may be considered for future study in treating severe infections driven by NET pathophysiology. This includes drugs specifically targeting NET inhibition and FDA-approved drugs that may be repurposed as NET inhibitors.

中文翻译：

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中性粒细胞胞外陷阱（NET）：改善传染病结果的新兴治疗靶点

中性粒细胞拥有多种病原体清除机制，其中之一是中性粒细胞胞外陷阱（NET）的形成。 NET 是组蛋白和 DNA 的复合物，涂有蛋白水解酶，在称为 NETosis 的过程中释放到细胞外以捕获病原体并帮助其清除。血管内NETosis可能会引发大规模的炎症反应，已被证明会导致许多传染病的发病率和死亡率，包括疟疾、登革热、流感、细菌性败血症和SARS-CoV-2感染。在这篇综述中，我们试图：（1）总结当前对 NET 的理解； (2) 讨论 NET 形成导致发病率和死亡率的传染病； (3) 探索潜在的辅助疗法，可考虑用于未来治疗由 NET 病理生理学驱动的严重感染的研究。这包括专门针对 NET 抑制的药物和 FDA 批准的可重新用作 NET 抑制剂的药物。