Fine particulate matter 2.5 induces susceptibility to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection via expansion of PD-L1high neutrophils in mice

Abstract Background Exposure to PM2.5 has been implicated in a range of detrimental health effects, particularly affecting the respiratory system. However, the precise underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Methods To address this objective, we collected ambient PM2.5 and administered intranasal challenges to mice, followed by single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to unravel the heterogeneity of neutrophils and unveil their gene expression profiles. Flow cytometry and immunofluorescence staining were subsequently conducted to validate the obtained results. Furthermore, we assessed the phagocytic potential of neutrophils upon PM2.5 exposure using gene analysis of phagocytosis signatures and bacterial uptake assays. Additionally, we utilized a mouse pneumonia model to evaluate the susceptibility of PM2.5-exposed mice to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Results Our study revealed a significant increase in neutrophil recruitment within the lungs of PM2.5-exposed mice, with subclustering of neutrophils uncovering subsets with distinct gene expression profiles. Notably, exposure to PM2.5 was associated with an expansion of PD-L1high neutrophils, which exhibited impaired phagocytic function dependent upon PD-L1 expression. Furthermore, PM2.5 exposure was found to increase the susceptibility of mice to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, due in part to increased PD-L1 expression on neutrophils. Importantly, monoclonal antibody targeting of PD-L1 significantly reduced bacterial burden, dissemination, and lung inflammation in PM2.5-exposed mice upon Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Conclusions Our study suggests that PM2.5 exposure promotes expansion of PD-L1high neutrophils with impaired phagocytic function in mouse lungs, contributing to increased vulnerability to bacterial infection, and therefore targeting PD-L1 may be a therapeutic strategy for reducing the harmful effects of PM2.5 exposure on the immune system.