Impaired pro‐resolving mechanisms promote abnormal NETosis , fueling autoimmunity in sickle cell disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a worldwide distributed hereditary red cell disorders with still high mortality and morbidity and limited therapeutic options. SCD is characterized by anemia, chronic hemolysis, and acute vaso-occlusive painful crises. The biocomplexity of SCD goes beyond red cells, involving neutrophils and soluble factors such as cytokines or alternative complement pathway intensively cross-talking with vascular endothelial cells. In addition, in SCD, the overactivation of neutrophils contributes to the production of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) (1, 2). This might trigger endothelial vascular injury, promoting acute sickle cell related events and increasing the risk of infections in patients with SCD