Neutrophils serve as an active constituent of innate immunity and are endowed with distinct ability for producing neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) to eliminate pathogens. Earlier studies have demonstrated a dysfunction of the innate immune system in diabetic subjects leading to increased susceptibility to infections; however, the influence of hyperglycemic conditions on NETs is unknown. In the present study we demonstrate that (a) NETs are influenced by glucose homeostasis, (b) IL-6 is a potent inducer of energy dependent NET formation and (c) hyperglycemia mimics a state of constitutively active pro-inflammatory condition in neutrophils leading to reduced response to external stimuli making diabetic subjects susceptible to infections.
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