REVIEW article
Front. Immunol.
Sec. Molecular Innate Immunity
Interactions between Neutrophil extracellular traps and Macrophages: the Key to Inflammatory Diseases
Xiaoyu Shan 1
Yingxi Yang 1
Xiaodong Fan 2
Xiaofei Geng 3
Yongchun Liang 3
Junping Zhang 3
1. Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
2. Tianjin College of Commerce, Tianjin, China
3. First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
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Abstract
Interactions between neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and macrophages play a critical role in the initiation and progression of inflammatory diseases. NETs regulate macrophage polarization and function by releasing components such as DNA, histones, and granule proteins, as well as by activating multiple signaling pathways. In turn, macrophages modulate the formation and clearance of NETs through the secretion of cytokines and proteases. This bidirectional interaction forms a positive feedback loop in autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and the tumor microenvironment, exacerbating inflammatory responses and tissue injury. Investigating the specific mechanisms underlying the NETs–macrophage interplay may provide novel targeted therapeutic strategies for inflammatory diseases. Therefore, this article systematically reviews the mechanisms of NETs–macrophage interactions and their pathological roles in various inflammatory diseases, aiming to offer a theoretical foundation and translational potential for future research.
Summary
Keywords
cellular communication, Immuneinflammation, innate immunity, Macrophages, neutrophil extracellular traps
Received
24 October 2025
Accepted
19 February 2026
Copyright
© 2026 Shan, Yang, Fan, Geng, Liang and Zhang. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Yingxi Yang
Disclaimer
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