Background/Purpose: Chromatin (which is composed of DNA and histones) represents a major autoantigen in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Interferon-α (IFN-α) plays an important role in lupus development. Although activated plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) are believed to be the main producers of IFN-α in SLE, pDC represent a minor cell population. On the other hand, neutrophils represent 50 % of total blood leukocytes and are activated in SLE, especially by chromatin. Moreover, neutrophils form immunogenic neutrophil extracellular traps (NET) in SLE. Toll-like receptor (TLR) 9 recognizes certain forms of DNA but its role in SLE is still not elucidated. We therefore sought to determine the cellular source of IFN-α as well as the natural stimuli in SLE, the mechanism and the impact of TLR9.

Methods: Chromatin (mono-nucleosomes) was purified from calf thymus. PBMC and neutrophils were isolated from healthy individuals and SLE patients. Mouse neutrophils were purified from the bone marrow. Cells were activated with different stimuli and IFN-α production/secretion was estimated by flow cytometry, ELISA and a bioassay. Gene expression was analyzed by qRT-PCR. Neutrophil activation was verified by flow cytometry and ELISA. NET induction was estimated by confocal microscopy.

Results: Isolated neutrophils produce IFN-α upon stimulation with chromatin. IFN-α secretion by neutrophils was observed with steady-state neutrophils, and not pro-inflammatory neutrophils, from both healthy donors and SLE patients whereas pDC were less efficient. Neutrophil-derived IFN-α was detected in response to free chromatin, and not chromatin-containing immune complexes, as well as TLR9 agonists. Nucleosome-induced IFN-α production by neutrophils was associated with IL-8 secretion, CD66b up-regulation, ROS production and NET formation (NETosis). Neutrophil priming is not required. In low-responders, autologous PBMC sustain IFN-α secretion by chromatin-activated neutrophils in co-cultures. In contrast to TLR9 agonists, chromatin-induced IFN-α secretion occurs independently of TLR9 since neutrophils isolated from both wild-type and TLR9-deficient mice were activated. Finally, chromatin increases gene expression levels of IFN-α and several DNA sensors, e.g. AIM2 and STING.

Conclusion: Neutrophils represent also an important source of IFN-α. IFN-α was detected at the mRNA and protein levels and in an active and secreted form. This is the first report showing both that steady-state neutrophils can secrete IFN-α and identifying a natural lupus stimulus involved. Since both normal and lupus neutrophils have the capability of producing IFN-α, a key event is thus the presence of increased concentrations of circulating nucleosomes in SLE patients. Chromatin-activated neutrophils (in addition to pDC and low-density granulocytes) may secrete IFN-α early during the lupus disease, before immune complexes are produced. The generation of NET and the expression of genes involved in the recognition of DNA may strengthen pDC activation and DNA-mediated activation.

---

« Back to 2012 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting

ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/toll-like-receptor-9-independent-and-immune-complex-independent-interferon-%ce%b1-production-by-neutrophils-upon-netosis-in-response-to-circulating-chromatin/