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Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) is an environmental fungus and a human pathogen. Neutrophils are critical effector cells during the fungal infections, and neutropenia is a risk factor for the development of pulmonary aspergillosis. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are released by neutrophils in response to A. fumigatus and inhibit the conidial germination. In this work, we observed that the receptors TLR2, TLR4, and Dectin-1 were dispensable for the A. fumigatus induced NET release. In contrast CD11b/CD18 was critical for the NET release in response to A. fumigatus conidia, and this required the CD11b I-domain-mediated recognition, whereas the blockade of the CD11b lectin domain did not affect the A. fumigatus induced NET release. A. fumigatus induced NET release relied on the activity of spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk), Src family kinase(s), and class IA PI3 kinase δ. Although A. fumigatus promoted histone citrullination, this process was dispensable for the NET release in response to A. fumigatus conidia. The A. fumigatus induced NET release required the reactive oxygen species generation by the NOX2 complex, in a downstream pathway requiring CD11b/CD18, Src kinase family activity, Syk and PI3K class IA δ. Our findings thus reveal the signaling pathways involved in the formation of NETs in response to A. fumigatus., (©2019 Society for Leukocyte Biology.)

There is compelling evidence that circulatory hemodynamics prevent neutrophil activation, including adhesion to microvessels, in the microcirculation. However, the underlying mechanism or mechanisms by which that mechanoregulation occurs remain unresolved. Here, we report evidence that exposure to fluid shear stress (FSS) promotes neutrophils to release cathepsin B (ctsB) and that this autocrine regulatory event is antiadhesive for neutrophils on endothelial surfaces through Mac1-selective regulation. We used a combined cell-engineering and immunocytochemistry approach to find that ctsB was capable of cleaving Mac1 integrins on neutrophils and demonstrated that this proteolysis alters their adhesive functions. Under no-flow conditions, ctsB enhanced neutrophil migration though a putative effect on pseudopod retraction rates. We also established a flow-based cell detachment assay to verify the role of ctsB in the control of neutrophil adhesion by fluid flow stimulation. Fluid flow promoted neutrophil detachment from platelet and endothelial layers that required ctsB, consistent with its fluid shear stress-induced release. Notably, compared with leukocytes from wild-type mice, those from ctsB-deficient (ctsB -/- ) mice exhibited an impaired CD18 cleavage response to FSS, significantly elevated baseline levels of CD18 surface expression, and an enhanced adhesive capacity to mildly inflamed postcapillary venules. Taken together, the results of the present study support a role for ctsB in a hemodynamic control mechanism that is antiadhesive for leukocytes on endothelium. These results have implications in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammation, microvascular dysfunction, and cardiovascular diseases involving sustained neutrophil activation in the blood and microcirculation., (© Society for Leukocyte Biology.)

Streptococcus pyogenes of the M1 serotype can cause STSS, which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The purpose of the present study was to examine the role of NFAT signaling in M1 protein-induced lung injury. NFAT-luc mice were treated with the NFAT inhibitor A-285222 before administration of the M1 protein. Neutrophil infiltration, edema, and CXC chemokines were quantified in the lung, 4 h after challenge with the M1 protein. Flow cytometry was used to determine Mac-1 expression. Challenge with the M1 protein increased NFAT-dependent transcriptional activity in the lung, spleen, and liver in NFAT-luc mice. Administration of the NFAT inhibitor A-285222 abolished M1 protein-evoked NFAT activation in the lung, spleen, and liver. M1 protein challenge induced neutrophil recruitment, edema, and CXC chemokine production in the lung, as well as up-regulation of Mac-1 on circulating neutrophils. Inhibition of NFAT activity attenuated M1 protein-induced neutrophil infiltration by 77% and edema formation by 50% in the lung. Moreover, administration of A-285222 reduced M1 protein-evoked pulmonary formation of CXC chemokine >80%. In addition, NFAT inhibition decreased M1 protein-triggered Mac-1 up-regulation on neutrophils. These findings indicate that NFAT signaling controls pulmonary infiltration of neutrophils in response to streptococcal M1 protein via formation of CXC chemokines and neutrophil expression of Mac-1. Thus, the targeting of NFAT activity might be a useful way to ameliorate lung injury in streptococcal infections., (© Society for Leukocyte Biology.)

Markedly deficient expression of membrane-activated complex 1 (Mac-1; CD11b/CD18) by polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) of human neonates compared with adults is well documented. To define postnatal maturation of Mac-1 expression of PMN, lysates of PMN from 21 infants, aged 1-14 months, and concurrent adult controls were assayed by ELISA for total cell content of Mac-1 and LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18), and LFA-1 content was within the normal adult range at all ages tested. Mac-1 content was approximately 50% of adult levels for infants 1-2 months of age and steadily increased to reach normal adult levels by 11-12 months of age. For a separate group of 25 infants, aged 0.5-11 months, measurement of surface expression of Mac-1 and LFA-1 on activated PMN by immunofluorescence flow cytometry yielded results that were similar to those obtained by ELISA.

Patients with sepsis and acute lung injury have increased interleukin (IL)-18 levels systemically. We hypothesize that IL-18 stimulates neutrophils (PMNs) at physiologic concentrations. IL-18 primed the oxidase at 15 min (10-100 ng/ml), 30 min (0.1-100 ng/ml), and 60 min (100 ng/ml; P<0.05) and caused translocation of p47(phox) to the membrane similar to lipopolysaccharides. CD11b surface expression was increased by IL-18 in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. IL-18 caused up-regulation of the formyl-Met-Leu-Phe receptor, changes in PMN size, and elastase release. Investigation of signaling demonstrated IL-18-mediated activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase in a concentration (0.1-100 ng/ml)-, time (5-15 min)-, and Ca2+-dependent manner. IL-18 directly increased cytosolic Ca2+ concentration. IL-18 activation of PMNs was blocked by inhibition of p38 MAP kinase activity (SB203580) or by inhibition of p38 MAP kinase activation by chelation of cytosolic Ca2+. We conclude that IL-18, at physiologic concentrations, is an effective PMN priming agent that requires p38 MAP kinase activity.

The beta2 (CD18) leukocyte integrins play a key role in normal and inflammatory immune responses. In resting leukocytes, these receptors do not bind ligands. However, when leukocytes are exposed to an appropriate agonist, high-affinity ligand binding is achieved, presumably as a result of conformational changes in the integrin. In this study, we describe a novel monoclonal antibody, mAb 6C1, directed against the alphaM subunit, which directly induces adhesion of alphaMbeta2-transfected CHO cells to fibrinogen, ICAM-1, and iC3b. Induction of binding could also be accomplished by monovalent Fab fragments of mAb 6C1 at concentrations similar to that observed with intact IgG, demonstrating stimulation of adhesion was not because of receptor cross-linking at the cell surface. The binding of mAb 6C1 induces conformational changes in the receptor, as evidenced by the expression of an "activation reporter" epitope recognized by mAb 24. The binding of mAb 6C1 is modulated by divalent cations. Mn2+ promoted high levels of 6C1 binding, and Mg2+ supported low levels of binding, however Ca2+ failed to support binding. A unique distinction of mAb 6C1 is localization of its epitope to the alphaM I domain. The alphaM I domain is essential for ligand binding, can directly bind divalent cations, and participates in the regulation of alphaMbeta2 ligand-binding affinity. Thus, these studies have identified a novel alphaM I domain activation epitope of alphaMbeta2 and support the idea that the I domain modulates the activational state of the beta2 integrins.

Apoptosis is a distinct mechanism by which eukaryotic cells die. Factors governing the induction of polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) apoptosis should be important in understanding resolution of acute inflammation. The mechanisms for induction of PMN apoptosis remain uncertain; however, oxidative stress has been suggested. The aims of this study were to determine whether reactive oxygen intermediates play a role in PMN apoptosis and to investigate inhibition of this process by selective use of antioxidants. PMN were isolated from 10 healthy volunteers. PMN (1 x 10(6) PMN/mL) were cultured in 40, 80, and 160 microM of arsenite for 2, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h. Apoptosis was assessed qualitatively by morphology and gel electrophoresis and quantitatively by CD16 receptor expression and propidium iodide DNA staining. There was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the rate of apoptosis on incubation with arsenite (80 and 160 microM). To investigate the mechanism of this process, intracellular respiratory burst activity was measured following arsenite culture. We found that arsenite-induced PMN apoptosis correlated with an increase in intracellular respiratory burst. To further investigate the role of oxidative injury in inducing apoptosis, the antioxidants catalase, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), glutathione (GSH), N-acetylcysteine (NAC), and taurine were investigated and we demonstrated that GSH, NAC, and taurine were significantly protective against arsenite-induced apoptosis. However, catalase and DMSO failed to induce protection. This study demonstrates that arsenite induces PMN apoptosis through an oxygen-dependent mechanism that can be prevented through selective antioxidants.