Advances in research of neutrophil extracellular trap formation in osteoarticular diseases

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have been the subject of research in the field of innate immunity since they were first described two decades ago. NETs are fibrous network structures released by neutrophils under specific stimuli, including DNA, histones, and a variety of granular proteins. NETs have been widely studied in the fields of infectious and immune diseases, and new breakthroughs have been made in the understanding of disease pathogenesis and treatment. In recent years, studies have found that NETs play an important role in the occurrence and development of osteoarticular diseases. This article reviews the progress in the research of NETs in common osteoarticular diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, gouty arthritis, osteonecrosis of the femoral head, osteoarthritis, and joint fibrosis, including the formation mechanism of NETs and its role in inflammation, joint destruction, pain and other pathological processes. The problems existing in current research are discussed, along with future research directions, to provide a reference for the in-depth study of osteoarticular diseases and the development of new treatment strategies.