胞外染色质，例如类中性粒细胞外排网（NET），是推动大量疾病病理进展的重要元素。DNA 驱动干扰素系统，作为自身抗原，并构成天然免疫系统蛋白的胞外支架。核外释放 DNA 进入胞外环境后排出的染色体不足清除，可能在免疫炎症和闭塞性疾病中发挥暗中任务。在此，我们讨论（I）胞外释放染色质和 NET 形成所涉及的细胞事件，（II） NET 形成紊乱的破坏性后果，以及（III） NET 形成和清除之间的不平衡。我们包括 NET 形成在管道和导管阻塞、肺部疾病、自身免疫疾病、慢性口腔疾病、癌症、粘连形成和创伤性脊髓损伤中的作用。为了开发有效治疗方法，有极其重要的必要性来针对在过度 NET 形成和聚集过程中导致染色质去凝集的途径。或者，可以考虑支持胞外染色质清除的治疗方法。©2023版权所有作者。

Extracellular chromatin, for example in the form of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), is an important element that propels the pathological progression of a plethora of diseases. DNA drives the interferon system, serves as autoantigen, and forms the extracellular scaffold for proteins of the innate immune system. An insufficient clearance of extruded chromatin after the release of DNA from the nucleus into the extracellular milieu can perform a secret task of moonlighting in immune-inflammatory and occlusive disorders. Here, we discuss (I) the cellular events involved in the extracellular release of chromatin and NET formation, (II) the devastating consequence of a dysregulated NET formation, and (III) the imbalance between NET formation and clearance. We include the role of NET formation in the occlusion of vessels and ducts, in lung disease, in autoimmune diseases, in chronic oral disorders, in cancer, in the formation of adhesions, and in traumatic spinal cord injury. To develop effective therapies, it is of utmost importance to target pathways that cause decondensation of chromatin during exaggerated NET formation and aggregation. Alternatively, therapies that support the clearance of extracellular chromatin are conceivable.© 2023. The Author(s).