학술논문
NETosis and the Immune System in COVID-19: Mechanisms and Potential Treatments
Document Type
article
Author
Source
Frontiers in Pharmacology, Vol 12 (2021)
Subject
Language
English
ISSN
1663-9812
Abstract
NETosis is a form of neutrophil death leading to the release of extracellular chromatin and the assembling of proteins, including antiviral proteins, primed by an initial pathogenic stimulus. Under certain specific conditions, neutrophils can exhibit a double-edged activity. This event has been implicated in COVID-19 among other conditions. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are involved in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 by promoting a pro-inflammatory and a procoagulant state leading to multiorgan failure. This particular form of host defense promoted by neutrophils is closely related to the well-known cytokine storm observed in severe COVID-19 patients. These two elements therefore represent possible targets for treatment of severe SARS-CoV-2 infections.