Special Issues
Table of Content

NETs: A Decade of Pathological Insights and Future Therapeutic Horizons

Submission Deadline: 30 September 2025 (closed) View: 981 Submit to Journal

Guest Editors

Prof. Dr. Martin Herrmann

Email: Martin.herrmann@medma.uni-heidelberg.de

Affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany

Homepage: 

Research Interests: NETs, pathogenesis, inflammation, chromatin filaments, pathologies, blood vessels, enzymes and proteins 

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Prof. Dr. Rostyslav Bilyy

Email: r.bilyy@gmail.com 

Affiliation: Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology "Nicolae Simionescu", 8B.P. Hasdeu Street, Sector 5, Bucharest, Romania;

Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Department of Histology, Cytology, and Embryology, 79010 Lviv, Ukraine 

Homepage:

Research Interests: plasma membrane, modulation of inflammation, NETs, neutrophils, cell death, nanoparticles and their interaction with living cells 

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Summary

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) are crucial components of immune defense, yet their dysregulation has been associated with numerous inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. In just over a decade since the initial reports on NETs' pathological implications, extensive research has uncovered their multifaceted roles in disease processes. This progress underscores the need to compile and review the latest and most significant findings, which this special issue aims to achieve.


This special issue aims to delve into the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of NET formation (NETosis), their physiological roles, and their pathological consequences in diseases such as cardiovascular conditions, cancer, and autoimmune disorders. By compiling cutting-edge research from experts in immunology, molecular biology, and related fields, this issue seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of how NETs contribute to both health and disease. The issue will focus on unraveling the signaling pathways that regulate NETosis, identifying new therapeutic targets to modulate NET activity, and exploring the broader implications of NETs in different physiological and pathological contexts.

 

Key areas of focus include but are not limited to:

1. Molecular Mechanisms of NET Formation:

   - Investigating the intracellular signaling cascades and molecular regulators involved in NETosis.

   - Exploring the roles of NADPH oxidase, neutrophil proteases, and chromatin remodeling in NET formation.

2. NETs in Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases:

   - Examining how NETs contribute to pathogen clearance during infection, and their role in exacerbating inflammatory diseases such as sepsis and rheumatoid arthritis.

   - Understanding the balance between protective and pathological functions of NETs in these contexts.

3. NETs and Cardiovascular Disease:

   - Unveiling the contribution of NETs to thrombus formation, endothelial damage, and atherosclerosis.

   - Investigating the molecular interactions between NETs and vascular cells, and the implications for cardiovascular health.

4. NETs in Cancer:

   - Exploring how NETs promote tumor progression, metastasis, and immune evasion in different types of cancer.

   - Identifying potential therapeutic strategies targeting NETs in oncology.

5. Therapeutic Modulation of NETs:

   - Investigating pharmacological interventions and molecular targets to modulate NET formation and activity in disease.

   - Analyzing the therapeutic potential of disrupting NETs in preventing disease progression in autoimmune disorders, chronic inflammation, and metabolic diseases.

 

We invite original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and perspectives that investigate the cellular and molecular dimensions of NETs and their diverse roles in health and disease. By presenting the latest research and emerging challenges, this special issue aims to foster novel therapeutic approaches targeting NETs in a range of diseases, from chronic inflammatory conditions to cancer.


Keywords

neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), NETosis, immune response, cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic inflammation, molecular mechanisms, therapeutic targets, neutrophils

Published Papers


  • Open Access

    REVIEW

    The Role of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Periodontitis Pathogenesis: A Systematic Review of Ex Vivo Studies

    Antonio Magan-Fernández, Sarmad Muayad Rasheed Al-Bakri, Marco Bonilla, Francisco Mesa
    BIOCELL, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.073576
    (This article belongs to the Special Issue: NETs: A Decade of Pathological Insights and Future Therapeutic Horizons)
    Abstract Objectives: Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have emerged as critical effectors in immune defense but also as potential drivers of tissue damage in chronic inflammatory diseases. Their role in periodontitis, a highly prevalent condition characterized by dysregulated host–microbe interactions, remains incompletely defined. This systematic review aimed to synthesize, for the first time, ex vivo human evidence on the presence, activity, and clinical significance of NETs in periodontitis. Methods: A comprehensive search of Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus was conducted up to August 2025. Eligible studies included ex vivo human investigations assessing NETs or NET markers in gingival… More >

  • Open Access

    REVIEW

    Role of NETosis in the Pathogenesis of Respiratory Diseases: Molecular Mechanisms and Emerging Insights

    SEUNGIL KIM, GUN-DONG KIM
    BIOCELL, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.073781
    (This article belongs to the Special Issue: NETs: A Decade of Pathological Insights and Future Therapeutic Horizons)
    Abstract Neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation or NETosis is a specialized innate immune process in which neutrophils release chromatin fibers decorated with histones and antimicrobial proteins. Although pivotal for pathogen clearance, aberrant NETosis has emerged as a critical modulator of acute and chronic respiratory pathologies, including acute respiratory distress syndrome, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Dysregulated NET release exacerbates airway inflammation by inducing epithelial injury, mucus hypersecretion, and the recruitment of inflammatory leukocytes, thereby accelerating tissue remodeling and functional decline. Mechanistically, NETosis is governed by peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 (PADI4)-mediated histone citrullination, NADPH oxidase-dependent reactive More >

  • Open Access

    REVIEW

    Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Cardiovascular Diseases: From NET Formation to Mechanistic Therapeutic Targeting

    Rasit Dinc, Nurittin Ardic
    BIOCELL, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.072337
    (This article belongs to the Special Issue: NETs: A Decade of Pathological Insights and Future Therapeutic Horizons)
    Abstract Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have emerged as key mediators of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), linking innate immune activation to vascular injury, thrombosis, and maladaptive remodeling. This review synthesizes recent insights into the molecular and cellular pathways driving NET formation, including post-translational modifications, metabolic reprogramming, inflammasome signaling, and autophagy. It highlights the role of NETs in atherosclerosis, thrombosis, myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, and hypertension, emphasizing common control points such as peptidylarginine deiminase 4 (PAD4)-dependent histone citrullination and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidases 2 (NOX2)-mediated oxidative stress. Mechanistic interpretation of circulating biomarkers, including myeloperoxidase (MPO)-DNA complexes, citrullinated histone H3,… More >

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