Since the discovery and definition of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) 14 years ago, numerous characteristics and physiological functions of NETs have been uncovered. Nowadays, the field continues to expand and novel mechanisms that orchestrate formation of NETs, their previously unknown properties, and novel implications in disease continue to emerge. The abundance of available data has also led to some confusion in the NET research community due to contradictory results and divergent scientific concepts, such as pro-and anti-inflammatory roles in pathologic conditions, demarcation from other forms of cell death, or the origin of the DNA that forms the NET scaffold. Here, we present prevailing concepts and state of the science in NET-related research and elaborate on open questions and areas of dispute.

Supravital species identification of morphologically similar syntopic earthworms inhabiting dung and compost heaps or those from commercial cultures is difficult. The aim of the studies was to find out non-invasive species-specific markers for proper segregation of earthworm species from a dense mixed colony of waste decomposers. Worms were segregated according to external characteristics into Eisenia andrei, Eisenia fetida, and Dendrobaena veneta, and left for reproduction and analysis of non-invasively retrieved coelomocyte-containing coelomic fluid and/or species-specific partial sequences of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene in DNA extracted from amputated tail tips of adults and their offspring. Flow cytometric analysis of coelomocyte samples revealed that amount of nuclear DNA increases in order D. veneta ≪ E. andrei < E. fetida, and intensity of eleocyte-derived fluorescence is lower in D. veneta than in Eisenia spp. Spectrofluorimetry of coelomocyte lysates revealed that the amount of eleocyte-stored riboflavin is significantly lower in coelomocyte lysates from D. veneta than from Eisenia spp., and the emission peak of X-fluorophore is much more distinct in D. veneta than in Eisenia spp. Coelomic fluid of E. andrei exhibits a very distinct spectra of MUG fluorophore which are absent in D. veneta and in the majority of E. fetida, while some E. fetida possess MUG-like fluorophore. Sequences of the COI gene in the DNA of the worms from the mixed colony and their offspring confirmed species identity. In conclusion, species-specific coelomocyte-derived markers may be a useful complement to morphological and DNA-based taxonomy during studies on syntopic earthworms.

Systemic inflammation is a detrimental condition associated with high mortality. However, obese individuals seem to have higher chances of surviving sepsis. To elucidate what immunological differences exist between obese and lean individuals we studied the course of endotoxemia in mice fed high-fat diet (HFD) and ob/ob animals. Intravital microscopy revealed that neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation in liver vasculature is negligible in obese mice in sharp contrast to their lean counterparts (ND). Unlike in lean individuals, neutrophil influx is not driven by leptin or interleukin 33 (IL-33), nor occurs via a chemokine receptor CXCR2. In obese mice less platelets interact with neutrophils forming less aggregates. Platelets transfer from ND to HFD mice partially restores NET formation, and even further so upon P-selectin blockage on them. The study reveals that in obesity the overexaggerated inflammation and NET formation are limited during sepsis due to dysfunctional platelets suggesting their targeting as a therapeutic tool in systemic inflammation.

Although neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) were discovered only 16 years ago, they have already taken us from heaven to hell as we learned that apart from beneficial trapping of pathogens, they cause, or contribute to, numerous disorders. The latter is connected to their persistent presence in the blood or tissue, and we hardly know how they are removed in mild pathophysiological conditions and why their removal is impaired in multiple severe pathological conditions. Herein, we bring together all data available up till now on how NETs are cleared—from engaged cells, their phenotypes, to involved enzymes and molecules. Moreover, we hypothesize on why NET removal is challenged in multiple disorders and propose further directions for studies on NET removal as well as possible therapeutic strategies to have them cleared.

mainly through: 1) simple membrane-crossing diffusion (eg, transport of steroids); 2) active transport via membrane ion-channels, pumps, or transporting proteins; 3) the formation of synapses including immunological and nerve synapses; and 4) the exchange of cell membrane fragments termed trogocytosis.1 Furthermore, cells communicate in an auto-, para-, and endocrine manner by sensing circulating endogenous bioactive compounds including: 1) proteins (eg, hormones, cytokines), lipoproteins, lipids, and steroids; 2) simpler compounds such as eicosanoids, monoamines (eg, neurotransmitters), endorphins, or cannabinoids; and, finally, 4) extracellular microRNA (miRNA) molecules associated with protein chaperones. The majority of these signaling compounds were found in the content of extracellular vesicles, mainly exosomes. It should be stressed that the interaction of extracellular vesicles with targeted cells can produce varied biological effects mainly resulting from direct exosome-cell stimulation and action of transferred exosome cargo. 2 Exosomes release their content into an acceptorIntroduction Studies of the last decade uncovered the special role of extracellular vesicles, especially exosomes, in local and systemic cell-to-cell communication. Moreover, exosomes were shown to carry various bioactive compounds including proteins, lipids, and diverse RNA molecules. At present, particular emphasis is placed on the extremely high potential of exosomes as prognostic and diagnostic markers as well as therapeutic nanocarriers, especially after demonstration that their cargo and targeting specificity could be manipulated.The current review briefly summarizes the role of exosomes in intercellular signaling pathways orchestrating varied biological mechanisms, with a special focus on the use of exosomes in the diagnosis and treatment of various inflammatory, cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurodegenerative disorders as well as cancer. Modes of cell-to-cell communication AbstrActCells of multicellular organisms exchange informative signals by diverse mechanisms. Recent findings uncovered the special role of extracellular vesicles, especially exosomes, in intercellular communication. Exosomes, present in all tested human bodily fluids, carry various functional compounds including proteins, lipids, and diverse RNA molecules. The composition of exosome cargo in vivo is likely formed by a regulated selection of specific components and can express the current status of the exosome--secreting cell. Therefore, particular emphasis is now placed on the extremely high potential of exosomes as essentially noninvasive prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers, but also as therapeutic nanocarriers, especially after the discovery that their cargo as well as cell-targeting specificity could be shaped in vitro. In addition, targeting the exosomes mediating pathological intercellular communication may also express high therapeutic potential. Hence, numerous studies are conducted to explore the profile and function of exosomes and their cargo ...