Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Central Nervous System Diseases

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) are complexes containing DNA fibrils and antimicrobial peptides that are released by neutrophils in response to pathogen stimulation. At the time of their discovery, the neutrophil extracellular trap contained active substances such as Neutrophil Elastase (NE) and myeloperoxidase (MPO). Although NETs were initially thought to be a means for the innate immune system to fight microbial invasion, now they have been observed to have a broader impact throughout the body. In recent studies, NETs have been linked to several neurological disorders and have been found to have varying roles in a number of diseases. In addition to their role in thrombosis, NETs have been identified in various autoimmune diseases. NETs play a significant role in the body when they are produced at the correct time and place; however, when the generation and removal of NETs are out of equilibrium, there can be important implications for human health. Here, the impact of NETs is reviewed in various neurological disorders and their potential clinical applications.