Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 28, 2026

Visualization of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Mesenteric Venules After Mesenteric Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury via Intravital Microscopy
Published on: September 27, 2024
Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Ischemic Stroke: Thrombolysis Resistance, No-Reflow, and Hemorrhagic Transformation
Shuo Zhang1, Yang Cui1, Xinyu Zhou1
1Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, China.
Abstract:
Recanalization is central to acute ischemic stroke treatment. However, reopening an occluded artery does not always restore microvascular perfusion, and hemorrhagic transformation (HT) can occur regardless of recanalization success. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) may help explain these discordant outcomes because they act within occlusive thrombi, the downstream microcirculation, and the neurovascular interface. This review examines the roles of NETs in thrombolysis resistance, no-reflow, and hemorrhagic injury. Within thrombi, NET-associated chromatin reinforces clot architecture and limits fibrinolysis. Intravascular NETs may impede downstream microvascular flow after recanalization, while NET-related inflammatory signaling may aggravate blood-brain barrier disruption and HT. These findings implicate NETs in impaired recanalization, incomplete tissue reperfusion, and hemorrhagic injury and support their evaluation as an adjunctive target during reperfusion therapy.
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