Novel contributions of neutrophils in the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm, the role of neutrophil extracellular traps: A systematic review

Abstract

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a vascular disorder caused by a dilatation of the aortic diameter that can be potentially lethal in case of rupture. Molecular mechanisms underlying the development of AAA are complex and not completely understood. However, inflammation plays a pivotal role in AAA development. Infiltration of inflammatory cells, especially macrophages, has been widely observed in lesion areas. Nevertheless, neutrophils have been gaining importance in the context of AAA. The release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), extracellular structures formed by DNA, histones, granular and cytoplasmic proteins, is a recently discovered mechanism of neutrophil activation that can be triggered by endogenous inflammatory stimulus. The number of studies about the role of NETs in several vascular diseases like thrombosis and atherosclerosis has increased in last decade. However, its role in AAA has been scarcely analysed. The aim of this review is to deepen in the latest advances concerning the potential role neutrophils and especially NETs in AAA development.

Keywords: Abdominal aortic aneurysm; Inflammation; Intraluminal thrombus; Neutrophil extracellular traps; Neutrophils.