Fig. 3. The role of aggregation and degradation of NETs in vascular occlusions.

Increased numbers of patrolling neutrophils in inflamed tissues form aggregated neutrophil extracellular traps (aggNETs). These are prone to occlude the ducts and glands of the pancreas, gall bladder, and ocular surface. The occlusions precipitate organ pathogeneses like pancreatitis and cholelithiasis. AggNETs also occlude blood vessels in particular the microvasculature of lungs, liver, kidney, heart, and thus cause pathogenesis. Original illustration from the authors.