Extracellular histones instigate an inflammatory triad – centered on cytotoxicity, immune cell stimulation, and coagulation – ultimately shaping the dynamics and outcome of various inflammatory pathologies. Given the virtual absence of beneficial functions of histones in the extracellular space, in recent years a number of interference strategies have emerged. In this review we summarize pathogenic functions of extracellular histones and highlight current developments of therapeutic interference. Finally, we elaborate on the current status of preclinical attempts to interfere with extracellular histones in the context of a focus on sepsis and cardiovascular diseases, both of which are leading causes of mortality worldwide.

细胞外组蛋白引发炎症三联体——以细胞毒性、免疫细胞刺激和凝血为中心——最终塑造各种炎症病理的动态和结果。鉴于细胞外空间中组蛋白的有益功能实际上不存在，近年来出现了许多干扰策略。在这篇综述中，我们总结了细胞外组蛋白的致病功能，并强调了治疗干扰的当前进展。最后，我们在关注脓毒症和心血管疾病的背景下详细阐述了干扰细胞外组蛋白的临床前尝试的现状，这两种疾病都是全世界死亡的主要原因。