Targeting potential drivers of COVID-19: Neutrophil extracellular traps
Top Cited Papers
Open Access
- 1 June 2020
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Rockefeller University Press in The Journal of Experimental Medicine
- Vol. 217 (6)
- https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20200652
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel, viral-induced respiratory disease that in similar to 10-15% of patients progresses to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) triggered by a cytokine storm. In this Perspective, autopsy results and literature are presented supporting the hypothesis that a little known yet powerful function of neutrophils-the ability to form neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs)-may contribute to organ damage and mortality in COVID-19. We show lung infiltration of neutrophils in an autopsy specimen from a patient who succumbed to COVID-19. We discuss prior reports linking aberrant NET formation to pulmonary diseases, thrombosis, mucous secretions in the airways, and cytokine production. If our hypothesis is correct, targeting NETs directly and/or indirectly with existing drugs may reduce the clinical severity of COVID-19.This publication has 86 references indexed in Scilit:
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