[Advances in the mechanistic researches of neutrophil extracellular trap in pulmonary diseases].

Neutrophil extracellular trap (NET), as an important effector mechanism of innate immunity, plays a critical regulatory role in various pulmonary diseases, including coronavirus disease-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome, bacterial pneumonia, sepsis, pulmonary fibrosis (PF), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. NET can be released by activated neutrophils through multiple mechanisms. Among them, classical suicidal NETosis represents one of the major pathways and contributes substantially to host defense against infection. However, the excessive accumulation of NET can lead to tissue damage, immunothrombosis, and chronic inflammation. By amplifying inflammatory cascades, disrupting tissue homeostasis, and triggering immunothrombotic processes, aberrant NET formation can also promote the development and progression of lung diseases. This review systematically summarizes the mechanisms of NET formation, metabolic regulation, autophagy, and their interactions with platelets. It provides an in-depth discussion of the roles and clinical significance of NET in both acute and chronic pulmonary diseases. Furthermore, potential therapeutic strategies targeting NET are highlighted. These strategies aim to offer new theoretical foundations and interventional perspectives for the prevention and treatment of pulmonary diseases.