Covid-19: Possible Role of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps

The process by which neutrophils expel DNA together with various proteins to the outside, forming a network structure called Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) constitutes a particular cell death that involves the destruction of the nuclear membrane before the plasmatic one. This process is called NETosis and differs from other known forms of cell death, such as necrosis and apoptosis. This process, however, if exaggerated, brings local or systemic damage. Viruses are known for their ability to evade the body's immune response. Only recently has it been seen that they can act as triggers for NETosis process. In fact, many viruses can stimulate neutrophils to produce NETs. Virus-induced NETs can begin to circulate in an uncontrolled manner, leading to an extreme systemic response of the body with the production of immunocomplexes, cytokines, Interferon I etc. To date, there are no data in the literature on the role of NETs in Covid-19 infection, a viral infection that leads to highly lethal interstitial pneumonia and for which there is currently no vaccine or specific therapy. Advanced forms of Covid-19 are often characterized by hyperinflammation ("cytokine storm") with the development of an ARDS-like condition. Furthermore, reports of micro and macro thrombotic phenomena such as microangiopathy, pulmonary embolism (which has led to a careful evaluation procedure for antithrombotic prophylaxis and/or coagulation in Covid-19 patients) are increasingly frequent. The primary objective of the study is to understand if NETs can be implicated in the response to Covid-19 and by which mechanisms. Concrete therapeutic proposals could derive from the knowledge and enhancement of this form of innate immunity. To do this, it will be necessary to evaluate the activity of NETosis in Covid-19 patients and evaluate whether the clinical course of the disease (worsening vs healing) determines the degree of NETosis activity. Therefore, the association between mortality from C