Conflito de interesses: Não
Contribuição dos autores:FFDA concepção e planejamento do projeto de pesquisa, obtenção e interpretação dos dados, redação e revisão crítica. CLP interpretação dos dados, redação e revisão crítica. CAV concepção e planejamento do projeto de pesquisa, interpretação dos dados, redação e revisão crítica. Contato para correspondência: Clara Araújo Veloso E-mail: claraveloso@yahoo. Neutrophil extracellular traps are composed of chromatin, granular proteins, and some cytoplasmic proteins. Beyond elimination of various microorganisms, these structures also contribute to trap pathogens to the initial site of infection. Objective: Discuss the process of neutrophil extracellular traps formation, molecular mechanisms that regulate the production of these structures and their role in innate immunity. Material and Methods: Pubmed, Nature, Periódicos Capes, and PlosOne were searched from December 2014 to June 2015 using different combinations of the following descriptors: neutrophil extracellular traps, NETs, neutrophils, netosis, innate immunity, and bacteria. Studies associating molecular processes in the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps and/or about the antimicrobial activity of their components; experimental studies in vivo, in vitro and / or in silico were selected. Results: We found 1,383 articles and after using inclusion and exclusion criteria, 41 articles were selected. Different mechanisms are responsible in the formation of these traps. The dependence of the production of reactive oxygen species, the composition of these structures and involvement of cell death vary according to the stimulus. Conclusion: In spite of their beneficial effects during infections, evidence suggests that neutrophil extracellular traps have a negative impact in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, thus, regulatory mechanism may be implicated in the decision of neutrophils to produce these structures. The identification of regulatory mechanisms of production of extracellular traps by neutrophils is crucial for the development of alternative therapies for diseases in which these structures are involved in the pathogenesis.
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