The Profibrogenic Role of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Stenotic Crohn's Disease: A New Antifibrotic Target?

    May 2022 in “ Gastroenterology ”
    Gabriele Dragoni, Bo-Jun Ke, Bram Verstockt, Saeed Abdurahiman, Tommaso Innocenti, Gert De Hertogh, Andrea Galli, Gianluca Matteoli, Séverine Vermeire
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    TLDR Targeting NETs may help reduce fibrosis in Crohn's disease.
    The study investigates the role of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in promoting fibrosis in stenotic Crohn's disease (CD). Using various methods, including immunofluorescence, RNA sequencing, and in vitro and in vivo experiments, researchers found that NETs activate intestinal fibroblasts through the TLR2/NF-kB pathway, leading to increased collagen production and fibrosis. Inhibiting PAD4, an enzyme crucial for NET formation, reduced fibrosis in a mouse model. The study involved 15 CD patients and 14 controls, showing that targeting NETs could be a promising antifibrotic therapy for CD.
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