Abstract
The emergence of COVID-19 as a global pandemic has had far-reaching
effects on the health of individuals worldwide. Although there has been
a decrease in the severity of the disease, there is a growing concern
about the long-term impact of COVID-19 on the health of individuals,
particularly cardiovascular complications, known as Long-COVID, which
can significantly increase morbidity and mortality rates in people
recovering from COVID-19 in the recent past. The severity of COVID-19
has been linked to various factors, including the role of neutrophils
and neutrophil extracellular traps (NET). These extracellular webs,
composed of chromatin, microbicidal proteins, and oxidant enzymes, are
released by neutrophils to fight infections. However, if not properly
regulated, NETs can lead to thrombo-inflammatory states and
microangiopathy in the body, resulting in complications such as sepsis,
thrombosis, and respiratory failure. Understanding the detailed
pathophysiology and association of NETs with the prognosis of COVID-19
infection is crucial for future implications and management. The purpose
of this review is to analyze the potential contribution of NETosis in
the pathophysiology of COVID-19 and its subsequent complications apart
from its beneficial effect. This may provide insight into potential
therapeutic interventions for COVID-19 patients.