Detection of Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in blood samples, A systematic review

Background and aim: Neutrophils play a significant role in different defense mechanisms in the immune system in order to protect the body from invaders of microorganisms. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), a complex of decondensed chromatin and proteins, are formed when neutrophils contact pathogens or activated platelets. NETs webs are implicated in capturing and killing many pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Even though NETs are beneficial for the immune system, they might trigger inflammation and microvascular thrombosis when not properly regulated, as this phenomenon is seen in severe COVID-۱۹ patients. Therefore, detection and quantification of NETs might contribute to early diagnosis and choosing the best therapeutic approach for the patients. In the detection process, histone-DNA complexes, Neutrophile Elastase (NE), and Myeloperoxidase (MPO) are known as NETs markers.Materials and method: We investigated articles published from ۲۰۱۵ to ۲۰۲۱ on PubMed and Google scholar databases by searching the subject-relevant MeSH terms.Results: ۲۵ Out of ۵۲۴ publications have met the inclusion criteria after the primary screening. Fluorescence Immunocytochemistry, Imaging Flow Cytometry, and ELISA were the dominant detection methods implicated to probe NETs markers such as MPO, Citrullinated H۳, and NE. Among selected articles nine and two used Fluorescence Immunocytochemistry and Imaging Flow cytometry, respectively; however, ELISA was conducted in three articles.Conclusion: Although Fluorescence Immunocytochemistry and Imaging Flow cytometry are proved to be specific tests for NETs detection, access to these techniques is limited and more investigation is required in order to develop and commercialize NET detection kits.

کلیدواژه ها:

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps ، Detection ، Fluorescence Immunocytochemistry ، Flow cytometry ، ELISA