Netting Gut Disease: Neutrophil Extracellular Trap in Intestinal Pathology

Figure 1

The role of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in colorectal cancer (CRC) tumor microenvironment. (a) Neutrophils are recruited to the primary tumor by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) released by tumor cells. (b) NETs could damage endothelial and increase the permeability of endothelium. (c) Tumor cells release interleukin-8 (IL-8) and exosomes, activating surrounding neutrophils to generate NETs. (d) Neutrophil elastase (NE) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) on NETs degrade the laminin of extracellular matrix (ECM). The remodeled laminin could activate the α3β1 signaling pathway, inducing the proliferation of dormant cancer cells. (e) Tumor cells are sequestered by DNA webs of NETs, facilitating hematogenous metastasis. (f) NETs serve as a physical scaffold for thrombus growth by binding platelets and red blood cells (RBCs).