Neutrophils regulate tissue Neutrophilia in inflammation via the oxidant-modified lipid lysophosphatidylserine

J Biol Chem. 2013 Feb 15;288(7):4583-93. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M112.438507. Epub 2013 Jan 5.

Abstract

Resolution of neutrophilia characteristic of acute inflammation requires cessation of neutrophil recruitment and removal of tissue neutrophils. Based on in vitro studies, a role in these events was hypothesized for oxidant-generated lysophosphatidylserine (lyso-PS) on recruited neutrophils signaling via the G2A receptor on macrophages. Peritoneal exudate neutrophils harvested from wild type (WT) mice had 5-fold more lyso-PS (lyso-PS(high)) than those of gp91(phox)(-/-) (lyso-PS(low)) mice. Ex vivo engulfment of lyso-PS(high) neutrophils (95% viable) by WT peritoneal macrophages was quantitatively similar to UV-irradiated apoptotic blood neutrophils, although the signaling pathway for the former was uniquely dependent on macrophage G2A. In contrast, lyso-PS(low) neutrophils were poorly engulfed unless presented with exogenous lyso-PS. Enhanced clearance of lyso-PS(high) neutrophils was also seen in vivo following their adoptive transfer into inflamed peritonea of WT but not G2A(-/-) mice, further supporting a requirement for signaling via G2A. To investigate downstream effects of lyso-PS/G2A signaling, antibody blockade of G2A in WT mice reduced macrophage CD206 expression and efferocytosis during peritonitis. Conversely, adoptive transfer of lyso-PS(high) neutrophils early in inflammation in gp91(phox)(-/-) mice led to accelerated development of efferocytic(high) and CD206(high) macrophages. This macrophage reprogramming was associated with suppressed production of pro-inflammatory mediators and reduced neutrophilia. These effects were not seen if G2A was blocked or lyso-PS(low) neutrophils were transferred. Taken together, the results demonstrate that oxidant-generated lyso-PS made by viable tissue neutrophils is an endogenous anti-inflammatory mediator working in vivo to orchestrate the "early" and rapid clearance of recruited neutrophils as well as the reprogramming of "resolving" macrophages.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Apoptosis
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Inflammation
  • Leukocyte Disorders / congenital*
  • Leukocyte Disorders / metabolism
  • Lipids / chemistry*
  • Lysophospholipids / chemistry*
  • Macrophages / cytology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • NADPH Oxidases / metabolism
  • Neutrophils / cytology*
  • Oxidants / chemistry*
  • Peritonitis / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Cytokines
  • Lipids
  • Lysophospholipids
  • Oxidants
  • lysophosphatidylserine
  • NADPH Oxidases

Supplementary concepts

  • Neutrophilia, Hereditary