Figure 1.

The mechanism of NET formation and acting on aortic walls. There are two ways for neutrophil extracellular traps (NET) come into being. The first one is called NETosis in which nuclei of neutrophils undergo delobulation, chromatin decondensation and nuclear membrane lysis. After that neutrophil granules adhering to released chromatin enter extracellular spaces through ruptured cell membranes. The other way, which is a non-lytic form of NETosis, occurs after partial depolarization of nuclei and render granules hanging on chromatin out of plasma without cell deaths. The proteases within granules can thereby directly degrade the vascular structure and cause aortic dilation. Figures were produced using Servier Medical Art (www.servier.com).