Neutrophil extracellular traps and cardiovascular diseases

Neutrophil extracellular traps are trap structures released from neutrophils upon activation or apoptosis and have many biological activities. With the understanding of the generation and action mechanism of neutrophil extracellular traps, studies have found that neutrophil extracellular traps have anti-inflammatory, procoagulant and anti-procoagulant effects and aggravate endothelial dysfunction. The occurrence of cardiovascular diseases is associated with inflammation and blood hypercoagulability. Early detection of neutrophil extracellular traps might be of great significance in the prevention and treatment of some cardiovascular diseases. In this review we primarily summarized the current development of neutrophil extracellular traps as well as the relationship of neutrophil extracellular traps and cardiovascular diseases.