# Chlorpyrifos Suppresses Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Carp by Promoting Necroptosis and Inhibiting Respiratory Burst Caused by the PKC/MAPK Pathway

Authors: Qiaojian Zhang; Shengchen Wang; Shufang Zheng; Ziwei Zhang; Shiwen Xu
Journal: Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity
 (2019)

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## Abstract

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are reticular structures formed by myeloperoxidase (MPO), histones, and neutrophil elastase (NE) that are released from neutrophils in response to pathogenic stimuli. Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is wildly used as an organophosphorus pesticide that causes a range of toxicological and environmental problems. Exposure to CPF can increase the production of neutrophils in carps, and this increase can be considered a biomarker of water pollution. To explore a relationship between NETs and CPF and its mechanism of influence, we treated neutrophils from the blood of carp with 1μg/mL phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), 0.325 mg/L CPF, or 20 μM necrostatin-1 (Nec-1). The production of MPO and NETs was reduced in the CPF+PMA group compared with that in the PMA group. CPF can cause an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), while inhibiting respiratory burst caused by PMA stimulation. We found that the expression levels of protein-coupled receptor 84 (gpr84), dystroglycan (DAG), proto-oncogene serine/threonine kinase (RAF), protein kinase C (PKC), and mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MAPK3) in the CPF+PMA group were lower than those in the PMA group, indicating that the PKC-MAPK pathway was suppressed. The expression levels of cylindromatosis (CYLD), mixed lineage kinase domain-like pseudokinase (MLKL), receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase 1 (RIP1), and receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase 3 (RIP3) were increased, and the expression levels of caspase 8 were reduced by CPF, indicating that CPF may cause necroptosis. The addition of Nec-1 restored the number of NETs in the CPF+PMA group. The results indicate that CPF reduced the production of NETs by inhibiting respiratory burst and increasing necroptosis. The results contribute to the understanding of the immunotoxicological mechanism of CPF and provide a reference for comparative medical studies.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) has been one of the most widely used broad-spectrum organophosphorus pesticides in the world and a major environmental pollutant. Many countries have reported excessive residual levels of CPF in soil, water, fruits, vegetables, and aquatic animals [1]. High-performance liquid chromatography is a common method for the assay of CPF concentrations [2]. CPF is a neurotoxin. It can inhibit the activity of cholinesterase and cause the accumulation of acetylcholine, thus leading to acute adverse effects, such as tremor, paralysis, convulsion, and coma [3, 4]. CPF can cause kidney damage [5] and disrupt the liver metabolism [6]. The immune system is one of the most important target organs of CPF [7]. CPF can modulate the immune response by stimulating the antigen-presenting ability of the head kidney of the carp [8]. It had been reported that the innate immune system was disturbed by CPF in zebrafish [9]. Rats exposed to CPF had an altered number of T cells and B cells with variable degrees of changes relative to the control animals after 45 and 90 days at all tested exposure levels [10]. The exposure to CPF may also lead to immunosuppression in mice by inhibiting the production of proinflammatory cytokines [11]. After the exposure to CPF, the production of neutrophils is increased and the immune system of the fish is damaged [12].Neutrophils are blood leukocytes that can kill pathogens through chemotaxis and phagocytosis [13]. Recent studies have shown that neutrophils capture invading pathogens through neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) generated by a process termed NETosis [14, 15]. NET structure is based on a DNA backbone decorated with antimicrobial proteins including myeloperoxidase (MPO), neutrophil elastase (NE), and histones [16]. A number of pathological, physiological, and pharmacological stimuli can generate NETs including bacteria, inflammatory cytokines, and chemical drugs [17]. Different stimuli cause different pathways of NET release. It has been shown that phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), C. albicans, and group B Streptococcus (GBS) can stimulate the formation of NETs in a similar manner while ionophores act in a different manner [18]. Respiratory burst plays an important role in the generation of NETs. Perazzio et al. studied patients with Behcet’s disease and found that the disease stimulates neutrophil respiratory burst and NET production by producing soluble CD40L (sCD40L) [19]. Yu et al. found that celastrol inhibits respiratory burst and NET production by downregulating the SYK-MEK-ERK-NFκB signaling cascade [20]. It was documented that the inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), or p38 can decrease NET release [21]. The production of NETs induced by IL-8 involved the mobilization of intracellular and extracellular calcium pools and activated PKC via G protein coupled receptors (GPCR) [22]. Necroptosis is a special type of necrosis induced by HXR-9 and enhanced by inhibitors of PKC signaling suggesting that PKC is closely related to necroptosis [23]. RNLIP protected the heart of diabetic patients by inhibiting necroptosis to activate STAT3, which needed the activation of PKC07 [24]. AdipoRon induced necroptosis in the MIAPaCa-2 cells by the production of superoxide via the activation of receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase 1 (RIP1) and ERK 1/2 [25].Thus, CPF is the main environmental pollutant in the water bodies, and carp can be a valuable biomarker for environment water pollution. Neutrophils in carp can respond to adverse stimuli by releasing NETs. However, the mechanisms of NET production by carp neutrophils exposed to CPF remain unknown. In this study, neutrophils were used as the research subject. After being exposed to CPF, neutrophils were stimulated with PMA and an inhibitor of necroptosis (necrostatin-1). Then, the amount of NETs; the release of ROS and respiratory burst; the expression of the PKC-MAPK pathway-related genes (gpr84 (protein-coupled receptor 84), dystroglycan (DAG), proto-oncogene serine/threonine kinase (RAF), PKC, and MAPK3); and the expression of necroptosis-related genes (caspase 8, cylindromatosis (CYLD), mixed lineage kinase domain like pseudokinase (MLKL), RIP1, and receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase 3 (RIP3)) were detected to clarify the effects and mechanisms of the exposure to CPF in the formation of NETs in carp. The results provide a new reference for environmental pollution protection and the regulation of biological innate immunity.


## 2. Materials and Methods

### 2.1. Test Chemicals

CPF (purity 99%) was purchased from Aladdin (China). Stock solutions of CPF were prepared in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) (purity 99%). The concentration of DMSO was kept below 0.05% in all experiments.


### 2.2. Treatment of Experimental Animals

All procedures used in this study were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Northeast Agricultural University. Common carps (mean body weight, 600 ± 100 g) used in this study were purchased from an aquarium specializing in fresh water fish and maintained in the laboratory tanks at 20 ± 1°C with continuous aeration [26].


### 2.3. Cell Counting Kit-8

Neutrophils isolated from the blood of common carp were separated by the detection kits (P4190, Solarbio, China) according to the manufacturer’s protocols. Then, the cells were suspended in modified RPMI medium (HyClone, Logan, UT, USA) containing 10% fetal bovine serum (NQBB, Australia) and seeded in 6-well plates (Corning, China). The cells were treated with various concentrations of CPF (20 mg/L, 15 mg/L, 3 mg/L, 1.5 mg/L, 0.75 mg/L, 0.325 mg/L, and 0.1625 mg/L) [27] for 2 h at 25°C in a humidified atmosphere containing 95% air and 5% CO2. To determine a suitable working concentration of CPF, cell viability was determined by a Cell Counting Kit-8 (MedChemExpress, Monmouth Junction, NJ, USA) according to the manufacturer’s protocols.


### 2.4. Neutrophils Treatment

After separation, neutrophils were suspended in modified RPMI medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum and seeded in 6-well plates; then, neutrophils were incubated with 20μM necrostatin-1 (Nec-1) for 2 h (Nec-1 group) or with 0.325 mg/L CPF for 2 h (CPF group) or with a combination of 20 μM Nec-1 and 0.325 mg/L CPF (Nec-1+CPF group). The control cells were untreated (NC group). Cells were then resuspended in the medium and treated with 1 μg/mL PMA (Sigma, St. Louis, MO, USA) for 2 h (Nec-1+PMA, CPF+PMA, Nec-1+CPF+PMA, and PMA groups). Cells were incubated at 25°C in a humidified atmosphere containing 95% air and 5% CO2 for all treatments. Nec-1 was dissolved in 1% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).


### 2.5. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

Approximately 3 × 106 neutrophils were seeded onto a glass coverslip pretreated with 0.001% polylysine (Sigma, St. Louis, MO, USA) and placed in a 12-well cell culture plate for 2 h. Various groups of cells were treated as described above. For SEM analysis, the glass coverslips with the cells were fixed with precooled 3% glutaraldehyde overnight and then washed with PBS for 10 min. Then, the cells were fixed with 1% citric acid precooled at 4°C for 1 hour and immersed twice in PBS for 10 min each time; samples were dehydrated with a graded ethanol series, critical-point dried for 1 h, and coated with a layer of platinum using a thin layer evaporator. Specimens were analyzed in a scanning electron microscope (SU-8010 type, Japan).


### 2.6. Measurement of MPO

After treatment, each group of cells was incubated with 500μL of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine hydrochloride (TMB) (Sigma, USA) and then immediately incubated with 500 μL of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). After 3 min of color reaction, 500 μL of sulfuric acid was added to stop the reaction. The lysis group was incubated with Triton X-100 (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA, USA). All cells were centrifuged at 600 g for 15 min; 200 μL of supernatant of each group was transferred to a 96-well plate, and the optical density (OD) was quantified at 405 nm. The experiment was repeated 3 times to enhance the accuracy of the results.


### 2.7. Fluorescent Microscopy

For fluorescence microscopy, cells were seeded on a glass coverslip and treated with Sytox green (Thermo Fisher, Shanghai, China) and Hoechst 33258 fluorescent dyes (Wanleibio, China) for 30 min according to the instructions of the manufacturers; then, the cells were once washed with PBS. Specimens were analyzed using a fluorescence microscope (Bothell, WA, USA).


### 2.8. Quantification of NETs

The treated neutrophils were suspended in PBS and seeded in a black 96-well plate. Sytox green was added to the cells for 30 min. Then, fluorescence was quantified as relative fluorescence units (RFU) at 485 nm excitation and 530 nm emission wavelengths using a Cytation 5 demo fluorescence spectrophotometer (BioTek, USA).


### 2.9. Measurement of ROS

The treated neutrophils were suspended in PBS and seeded in a black 96-well plate. The conversion of nonfluorescent dye chloromethyl-2,7-dichlorofluorescindiacetate (DCF-DA) was used to assay ROS. DCF-DA was added to the cells for 30 min. Then, fluorescence was quantified as RFU at 485 nm excitation and 525 nm emission wavelengths by a Cytation 5 fluorescence spectrophotometer.


### 2.10. Quantitative Real-Time PCR Analysis of the mRNA Levels

Total RNA was isolated from the neutrophils by TRIzol reagent [28] (Invitrogen, China), and reverse transcription was performed using a Transcriptor First-Strand cDNA synthesis kit (Roche, Mannheim, Germany) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The primer sequences of the target mRNAs were designed by Primer Premier 6.0 and are shown in Table 1. β-Actin was used as an internal reference. QRT-PCR was performed using SYBR® Premix Ex Taq™ (Takara, Beijing, China) with a Light Cycler®480 system (Roche, Basel, Switzerland) [29]. The 2-ΔΔCt method was used to analyze the transcription levels of mRNA.Table 1
Gene-target primers used in real-time PCR.
Gene
Forward primer
Reverse primer
β-Actin
5-GGCTCTCTTCCAGCCTTCCT-3
5-AGCACGGTGTTGGCATACAG-3
gpr84
5-GCAAGCAAGCTGAAGCAGAA-3
5-CTCTGCCACTGCTCCATCAC-3
DAG
5-TCCTGGGATCAGATGGAGGT-3
5-GGAATCCGCTAGGCTGTGAC3
RAF
5-ACCAACCCAACACCAGAGCA-3
5-ACTGCTGCCTTCACACCACT-3
PKC
5-CAGCCTGTGTGGAACAGACC -3
5-GGATCCATTGGCACCAAGTT-3
MAPK3
5-TCTGATGAGCCGGTAGCTGA-3
5-CTGGTAATTGGCCTGGAAGC-3
MPO
5- TTGGCTGTGGTGATGAAC -3
5- ATGTGCTGGAACTGTGTAG −3
Caspase 8
5-GAGCACTACCTCTCCTACCGACAC-3
5-GTGTAGCGTGGTTCTGGCATCTG-3
CYLD
5-AACAGCCTCGGACGCACAATC-3
5-TCATCCACGCTCACCACTACATTG-3


### 2.11. Western Blot Analysis

Total protein was resolved by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis [30] and then was transferred to nitrocellulose membranes. After blocking in 5% bovine serum albumin (BSA) at 25°C for 1 h, the membranes were washed 3 times with TBST for 15 min each time and incubated at 4°C overnight with primary antibodies against MPO (1 : 500), DAG (1 : 500), RAF (1 : 500), gpr84 (1 : 500), PKC (1 : 2000), MAPK3 (1 : 2000), caspase 8 (1 : 500), RIP1 (1 : 500), RIP3 (1 : 500), MLKL (1 : 500), and GAPDH (1 : 5000, Santa Cruz Biotechnologies, CA, USA). Then, the membranes were washed in TBST 3 times, incubated with a secondary antibody at 25°C for 1 h, and washed in TBST 3 times. Finally, the protein band signals were examined using an enhanced chemiluminescence system (Applygen Technologies Inc., Beijing, China) and analyzed by ImageJ software (National Institutes of Health). GADPH was used as a loading control.


### 2.12. Statistical Analysis

The statistical analysis of all data was performed using GraphPad Prism 5.0 (San Diego, CA, USA). One-way ANOVA was used for the analysis of the data [31]. Quantitative data are presented as the mean ± SD. Samples with different letters were considered to be significantly different at P<0.05 [32].


## 2.1. Test Chemicals

CPF (purity 99%) was purchased from Aladdin (China). Stock solutions of CPF were prepared in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) (purity 99%). The concentration of DMSO was kept below 0.05% in all experiments.


## 2.2. Treatment of Experimental Animals

All procedures used in this study were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Northeast Agricultural University. Common carps (mean body weight, 600 ± 100 g) used in this study were purchased from an aquarium specializing in fresh water fish and maintained in the laboratory tanks at 20 ± 1°C with continuous aeration [26].


## 2.3. Cell Counting Kit-8

Neutrophils isolated from the blood of common carp were separated by the detection kits (P4190, Solarbio, China) according to the manufacturer’s protocols. Then, the cells were suspended in modified RPMI medium (HyClone, Logan, UT, USA) containing 10% fetal bovine serum (NQBB, Australia) and seeded in 6-well plates (Corning, China). The cells were treated with various concentrations of CPF (20 mg/L, 15 mg/L, 3 mg/L, 1.5 mg/L, 0.75 mg/L, 0.325 mg/L, and 0.1625 mg/L) [27] for 2 h at 25°C in a humidified atmosphere containing 95% air and 5% CO2. To determine a suitable working concentration of CPF, cell viability was determined by a Cell Counting Kit-8 (MedChemExpress, Monmouth Junction, NJ, USA) according to the manufacturer’s protocols.


## 2.4. Neutrophils Treatment

After separation, neutrophils were suspended in modified RPMI medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum and seeded in 6-well plates; then, neutrophils were incubated with 20μM necrostatin-1 (Nec-1) for 2 h (Nec-1 group) or with 0.325 mg/L CPF for 2 h (CPF group) or with a combination of 20 μM Nec-1 and 0.325 mg/L CPF (Nec-1+CPF group). The control cells were untreated (NC group). Cells were then resuspended in the medium and treated with 1 μg/mL PMA (Sigma, St. Louis, MO, USA) for 2 h (Nec-1+PMA, CPF+PMA, Nec-1+CPF+PMA, and PMA groups). Cells were incubated at 25°C in a humidified atmosphere containing 95% air and 5% CO2 for all treatments. Nec-1 was dissolved in 1% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).


## 2.5. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

Approximately 3 × 106 neutrophils were seeded onto a glass coverslip pretreated with 0.001% polylysine (Sigma, St. Louis, MO, USA) and placed in a 12-well cell culture plate for 2 h. Various groups of cells were treated as described above. For SEM analysis, the glass coverslips with the cells were fixed with precooled 3% glutaraldehyde overnight and then washed with PBS for 10 min. Then, the cells were fixed with 1% citric acid precooled at 4°C for 1 hour and immersed twice in PBS for 10 min each time; samples were dehydrated with a graded ethanol series, critical-point dried for 1 h, and coated with a layer of platinum using a thin layer evaporator. Specimens were analyzed in a scanning electron microscope (SU-8010 type, Japan).


## 2.6. Measurement of MPO

After treatment, each group of cells was incubated with 500μL of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine hydrochloride (TMB) (Sigma, USA) and then immediately incubated with 500 μL of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). After 3 min of color reaction, 500 μL of sulfuric acid was added to stop the reaction. The lysis group was incubated with Triton X-100 (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA, USA). All cells were centrifuged at 600 g for 15 min; 200 μL of supernatant of each group was transferred to a 96-well plate, and the optical density (OD) was quantified at 405 nm. The experiment was repeated 3 times to enhance the accuracy of the results.


## 2.7. Fluorescent Microscopy

For fluorescence microscopy, cells were seeded on a glass coverslip and treated with Sytox green (Thermo Fisher, Shanghai, China) and Hoechst 33258 fluorescent dyes (Wanleibio, China) for 30 min according to the instructions of the manufacturers; then, the cells were once washed with PBS. Specimens were analyzed using a fluorescence microscope (Bothell, WA, USA).


## 2.8. Quantification of NETs

The treated neutrophils were suspended in PBS and seeded in a black 96-well plate. Sytox green was added to the cells for 30 min. Then, fluorescence was quantified as relative fluorescence units (RFU) at 485 nm excitation and 530 nm emission wavelengths using a Cytation 5 demo fluorescence spectrophotometer (BioTek, USA).


## 2.9. Measurement of ROS

The treated neutrophils were suspended in PBS and seeded in a black 96-well plate. The conversion of nonfluorescent dye chloromethyl-2,7-dichlorofluorescindiacetate (DCF-DA) was used to assay ROS. DCF-DA was added to the cells for 30 min. Then, fluorescence was quantified as RFU at 485 nm excitation and 525 nm emission wavelengths by a Cytation 5 fluorescence spectrophotometer.


## 2.10. Quantitative Real-Time PCR Analysis of the mRNA Levels

Total RNA was isolated from the neutrophils by TRIzol reagent [28] (Invitrogen, China), and reverse transcription was performed using a Transcriptor First-Strand cDNA synthesis kit (Roche, Mannheim, Germany) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The primer sequences of the target mRNAs were designed by Primer Premier 6.0 and are shown in Table 1. β-Actin was used as an internal reference. QRT-PCR was performed using SYBR® Premix Ex Taq™ (Takara, Beijing, China) with a Light Cycler®480 system (Roche, Basel, Switzerland) [29]. The 2-ΔΔCt method was used to analyze the transcription levels of mRNA.Table 1
Gene-target primers used in real-time PCR.
Gene
Forward primer
Reverse primer
β-Actin
5-GGCTCTCTTCCAGCCTTCCT-3
5-AGCACGGTGTTGGCATACAG-3
gpr84
5-GCAAGCAAGCTGAAGCAGAA-3
5-CTCTGCCACTGCTCCATCAC-3
DAG
5-TCCTGGGATCAGATGGAGGT-3
5-GGAATCCGCTAGGCTGTGAC3
RAF
5-ACCAACCCAACACCAGAGCA-3
5-ACTGCTGCCTTCACACCACT-3
PKC
5-CAGCCTGTGTGGAACAGACC -3
5-GGATCCATTGGCACCAAGTT-3
MAPK3
5-TCTGATGAGCCGGTAGCTGA-3
5-CTGGTAATTGGCCTGGAAGC-3
MPO
5- TTGGCTGTGGTGATGAAC -3
5- ATGTGCTGGAACTGTGTAG −3
Caspase 8
5-GAGCACTACCTCTCCTACCGACAC-3
5-GTGTAGCGTGGTTCTGGCATCTG-3
CYLD
5-AACAGCCTCGGACGCACAATC-3
5-TCATCCACGCTCACCACTACATTG-3


## 2.11. Western Blot Analysis

Total protein was resolved by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis [30] and then was transferred to nitrocellulose membranes. After blocking in 5% bovine serum albumin (BSA) at 25°C for 1 h, the membranes were washed 3 times with TBST for 15 min each time and incubated at 4°C overnight with primary antibodies against MPO (1 : 500), DAG (1 : 500), RAF (1 : 500), gpr84 (1 : 500), PKC (1 : 2000), MAPK3 (1 : 2000), caspase 8 (1 : 500), RIP1 (1 : 500), RIP3 (1 : 500), MLKL (1 : 500), and GAPDH (1 : 5000, Santa Cruz Biotechnologies, CA, USA). Then, the membranes were washed in TBST 3 times, incubated with a secondary antibody at 25°C for 1 h, and washed in TBST 3 times. Finally, the protein band signals were examined using an enhanced chemiluminescence system (Applygen Technologies Inc., Beijing, China) and analyzed by ImageJ software (National Institutes of Health). GADPH was used as a loading control.


## 2.12. Statistical Analysis

The statistical analysis of all data was performed using GraphPad Prism 5.0 (San Diego, CA, USA). One-way ANOVA was used for the analysis of the data [31]. Quantitative data are presented as the mean ± SD. Samples with different letters were considered to be significantly different at P<0.05 [32].


## 3. Results

### 3.1. The Inhibitory Effects of CPF on the Viability of Neutrophils

The inhibitory effects of CPF on the viability of neutrophils were detected with CCK-8. The results are shown in (Figure1). CPF at various concentrations inhibited the viability of neutrophils. The inhibitory effects became more significant at higher doses of CPF showing a distinct dose-dependent relationship. At 2 h, the LC50 of CPF in neutrophils was 18.85 mg/L. We selected the concentration of 0.325 mg/L as the optimum concentration corresponding to 95% cell viability. In the subsequent experiments, the concentration of CPF was 0.325 mg/L.Figure 1
The inhibitory effects of CPF on neutrophils. Neutrophils were treated with various concentrations of CPF for 2 h. Quantitative data are presented as the mean ± SD. Samples with different letters were considered significantly different (P<0.05). The samples with the same letters were not significantly different (P>0.05). The LC50 for CPF-treated neutrophils was approximately 18.85 mg/L. We selected 0.325 mg/L as the optimum concentration corresponding to 95% viability of neutrophils.


### 3.2. SEM of Neutrophils and NETs

SEM was used to observe the morphology of neutrophils and NETs. The NC group neutrophils showed normal morphology. When blood neutrophils were treated with CPF, damage to the membrane was detected by scanning electron microscopy. We also see lots of NETs which seemed like nets in the PMA group; however, the NETs in the CPF+PMA group were less abundant (Figure2(a)).Figure 2
Production of NETs according to SEM and production of MPO in neutrophils after various treatments (a) Detection of NETs by scanning electron microscopy. (b) Effects of PMA or/and CPF on the production of MPO (A) and the mRNA levels of MPO (B) in neutrophils. The experiments were repeated three times. The data are presented as the mean ± SD. Bars with different letters were considered significantly different (P<0.05).
(a)
(b)


### 3.3. MPO Parameters in PMA-Treated Neutrophils

MPO is an important component of NETs. It is an antimicrobial protein with important function in the formation of NETs. Thus, we detected the release and the mRNA and protein expression levels of MPO. MPO analysis showed that in the PMA and CPF+PMA groups, MPO levels increased; however, the level in the latter group was lower than that in the former group (Figure2(b), A). Then, we used RT-PCR (Figure 2(b), B) and western blot (Figure 3(b), A) to test the expression of MPO. In the case of RT-PCR, the mRNA expression levels in the PMA group were the highest followed by those in the CPF+PMA, CPF, and NC groups. Western blot analysis confirmed this result.Figure 3
ROS levels, protein levels of MPO, and the mRNA and protein levels of the PKC-MAPK pathway components in neutrophils (a) Effects of PMA and/or CPF and/or Nec-1 on the release of ROS. (b) The protein levels of MPO and the mRNA and protein levels of the genes related to the PKC-MAPK pathway. The experiments were repeated three times. The data are presented as the mean ± SD. The samples with different letters were considered significantly different (P<0.05). The samples with the same letters were not significantly different (P>0.05).
(a)
(b)


### 3.4. Fluorescent Microscopy

We used Sytox green (a dye specific for dead cells and NETs) and Hoechst 33258 (a dye specific for live cells, dead cells, and NETs) as the fluorescence dyes for fluorescence microscopy (Figure4). The percentage of dead cells in the NC, CPF, PMA, and CPF+PMA groups is shown in Figure 5(c). To investigate why CPF inhibited the production of NETs induced by PMA, we added an inhibitor of necroptosis (Nec-1) to investigate a possible link between CPF and necroptosis. The number of dead cells was higher, and the number of live cells was lower in the CPF group than in the NC group. However, the coaddition of Nec-1 increased the viability of the cells. The results in the Nec-1 group were similar to those in the NC group. Abundant NET structures were detected in the PMA group; however, there were less NETs in the CPF+PMA group. Fluorescence microscopy showed that numerous NETs reappeared in the Nec-1+CPF+PMA group, suggesting that CPF may inhibit production of NETs by PMA and the effect may be related to necroptosis.Figure 4
Detection of NETs by fluorescence microscopy. Detection of NETs using Sytox green and Hoechst 33258 dyes. The pictures were taken by a fluorescence microscope. Hoechst 33258 can stain live cells, dead cells, and NETs (blue color). Sytox green can stain dead cells and NETs (green color).Figure 5
Detection of necroptosis, production of NETs, and the percentage of dead cells (%) according to fluorescence microscopy of neutrophils after various treatments. (a) The mRNA (A) and protein (B) levels of the genes related to necroptosis. The experiments were repeated three times. The data are presented as the mean ± SD. Samples with different letters were considered significantly different (P<0.05). (b) Production of NETs in neutrophils after various treatments. Neutrophils were treated with various reagents including PMA, CPF, and Nec-1; the formation of NETs was detected by a fluorescence spectrophotometer. The experiments were repeated three times. Quantitative data are presented as the mean ± SD. Samples with different letters were considered significantly different (P<0.05). The samples with the same letters were not significantly different (P>0.05). (c) Percentage of dead cells (%) according to fluorescent microscopy. The percentages of dead cells in the NC, CPF, Nec-1, and Nec-1+CPF groups determined by fluorescence microscopy were calculated and are shown in the figure. The percentage of dead cells in a descending order: CPF, Nec-1+CPF, NC, and Nec-1 groups. The data are presented as the mean ± SD. Bars with different letters were considered significantly different (P<0.05).
(a)
(b)
(c)


### 3.5. The mRNA and Protein Levels of Necroptosis Markers

Caspase 8, CYLD, MLKL, RIP1, and RIP3 are critical factors in the necroptosis pathway. RIPK3 is one of the core molecules of necroptosis that forms a necrotic complex with RIPK1 and activates MLKL. Ultimately, the complex can lead to cell membrane rupture, the release of cell contents, and necroptosis. Additionally, MLKL can promote necroptosis via the activation of the Ca2+ influx [33]. In subsequent experiments, we detected the levels of genes related to necroptosis with RT-PCR and western blot. We tested the expression levels of caspase 8 and CYLD by RT-PCR. We tested the expression levels of caspase 8, MLKL, RIP1, and RIP3 by western blot. The results confirmed our hypothesis. The levels of CYLD, RIP1, RIP3, and MLKL were increased, and the level of caspase 8 was reduced by CPF. Nec-1 can efficiently suppress these changes (Figure 5(a)).


### 3.6. Quantification of NET Formation

Microscopy can only illustrate the NETs in appearance; however, we demonstrated the inhibitory effect of CPF on NETs by quantifying NETs. Figure5(b) illustrates that PMA can induce the production of NETs but that the addition of CPF reduced the amount of released NETs. The addition of Nec-1 reduced the inhibitory effects of CPF. This is consistent with our previous test results.


### 3.7. ROS, mRNA, and Protein Levels of the PKC-MAPK Pathway Components in Neutrophils

Respiratory burst is an essential stage in the formation of NETs and plays a decisive role in the process. The PKC-MAPK pathway is the upstream pathway of the respiratory burst, and the changes in the expression of the components of in the pathway will influence respiratory burst. Thus, we assayed the production of ROS and the mRNA and protein levels of the genes related to the PKC-MAPK pathway. The production of ROS was significantly enhanced in a time-dependent manner in neutrophils treated with all stimulators. The ROS levels in the cells treated with PMA, CPF+PMA, and Nec-1+CPF+PMA reached a peak after treatment for 45 min indicating that respiratory burst occurred in the PMA-treated cells at 45 min. The ROS levels in the PMA-treated cells were the highest followed by the Nec-1+CPF+PMA and CPF+PMA groups. The ROS levels in the CPF group continued to increase during 2 h treatment. The NC and Nec-1 groups had the lowest ROS levels (Figure3(a)). Then, we tested the mRNA and protein levels of the genes of the PKC/MAPK pathway. As shown in Figure 3(b), the gene expression levels of gpr84, DAG, RAF, PKC, and MAPK3 were increased after the addition of PMA. The levels of these genes followed a similar trend. The PMA group had the highest levels, the CPF+PMA group was the second high, and the NC group was the lowest. The protein levels of gpr84, DAG, RAF, PKC, and MAPK3 were similar to the mRNA levels.


## 3.1. The Inhibitory Effects of CPF on the Viability of Neutrophils

The inhibitory effects of CPF on the viability of neutrophils were detected with CCK-8. The results are shown in (Figure1). CPF at various concentrations inhibited the viability of neutrophils. The inhibitory effects became more significant at higher doses of CPF showing a distinct dose-dependent relationship. At 2 h, the LC50 of CPF in neutrophils was 18.85 mg/L. We selected the concentration of 0.325 mg/L as the optimum concentration corresponding to 95% cell viability. In the subsequent experiments, the concentration of CPF was 0.325 mg/L.Figure 1
The inhibitory effects of CPF on neutrophils. Neutrophils were treated with various concentrations of CPF for 2 h. Quantitative data are presented as the mean ± SD. Samples with different letters were considered significantly different (P<0.05). The samples with the same letters were not significantly different (P>0.05). The LC50 for CPF-treated neutrophils was approximately 18.85 mg/L. We selected 0.325 mg/L as the optimum concentration corresponding to 95% viability of neutrophils.


## 3.2. SEM of Neutrophils and NETs

SEM was used to observe the morphology of neutrophils and NETs. The NC group neutrophils showed normal morphology. When blood neutrophils were treated with CPF, damage to the membrane was detected by scanning electron microscopy. We also see lots of NETs which seemed like nets in the PMA group; however, the NETs in the CPF+PMA group were less abundant (Figure2(a)).Figure 2
Production of NETs according to SEM and production of MPO in neutrophils after various treatments (a) Detection of NETs by scanning electron microscopy. (b) Effects of PMA or/and CPF on the production of MPO (A) and the mRNA levels of MPO (B) in neutrophils. The experiments were repeated three times. The data are presented as the mean ± SD. Bars with different letters were considered significantly different (P<0.05).
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## 3.3. MPO Parameters in PMA-Treated Neutrophils

MPO is an important component of NETs. It is an antimicrobial protein with important function in the formation of NETs. Thus, we detected the release and the mRNA and protein expression levels of MPO. MPO analysis showed that in the PMA and CPF+PMA groups, MPO levels increased; however, the level in the latter group was lower than that in the former group (Figure2(b), A). Then, we used RT-PCR (Figure 2(b), B) and western blot (Figure 3(b), A) to test the expression of MPO. In the case of RT-PCR, the mRNA expression levels in the PMA group were the highest followed by those in the CPF+PMA, CPF, and NC groups. Western blot analysis confirmed this result.Figure 3
ROS levels, protein levels of MPO, and the mRNA and protein levels of the PKC-MAPK pathway components in neutrophils (a) Effects of PMA and/or CPF and/or Nec-1 on the release of ROS. (b) The protein levels of MPO and the mRNA and protein levels of the genes related to the PKC-MAPK pathway. The experiments were repeated three times. The data are presented as the mean ± SD. The samples with different letters were considered significantly different (P<0.05). The samples with the same letters were not significantly different (P>0.05).
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## 3.4. Fluorescent Microscopy

We used Sytox green (a dye specific for dead cells and NETs) and Hoechst 33258 (a dye specific for live cells, dead cells, and NETs) as the fluorescence dyes for fluorescence microscopy (Figure4). The percentage of dead cells in the NC, CPF, PMA, and CPF+PMA groups is shown in Figure 5(c). To investigate why CPF inhibited the production of NETs induced by PMA, we added an inhibitor of necroptosis (Nec-1) to investigate a possible link between CPF and necroptosis. The number of dead cells was higher, and the number of live cells was lower in the CPF group than in the NC group. However, the coaddition of Nec-1 increased the viability of the cells. The results in the Nec-1 group were similar to those in the NC group. Abundant NET structures were detected in the PMA group; however, there were less NETs in the CPF+PMA group. Fluorescence microscopy showed that numerous NETs reappeared in the Nec-1+CPF+PMA group, suggesting that CPF may inhibit production of NETs by PMA and the effect may be related to necroptosis.Figure 4
Detection of NETs by fluorescence microscopy. Detection of NETs using Sytox green and Hoechst 33258 dyes. The pictures were taken by a fluorescence microscope. Hoechst 33258 can stain live cells, dead cells, and NETs (blue color). Sytox green can stain dead cells and NETs (green color).Figure 5
Detection of necroptosis, production of NETs, and the percentage of dead cells (%) according to fluorescence microscopy of neutrophils after various treatments. (a) The mRNA (A) and protein (B) levels of the genes related to necroptosis. The experiments were repeated three times. The data are presented as the mean ± SD. Samples with different letters were considered significantly different (P<0.05). (b) Production of NETs in neutrophils after various treatments. Neutrophils were treated with various reagents including PMA, CPF, and Nec-1; the formation of NETs was detected by a fluorescence spectrophotometer. The experiments were repeated three times. Quantitative data are presented as the mean ± SD. Samples with different letters were considered significantly different (P<0.05). The samples with the same letters were not significantly different (P>0.05). (c) Percentage of dead cells (%) according to fluorescent microscopy. The percentages of dead cells in the NC, CPF, Nec-1, and Nec-1+CPF groups determined by fluorescence microscopy were calculated and are shown in the figure. The percentage of dead cells in a descending order: CPF, Nec-1+CPF, NC, and Nec-1 groups. The data are presented as the mean ± SD. Bars with different letters were considered significantly different (P<0.05).
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## 3.5. The mRNA and Protein Levels of Necroptosis Markers

Caspase 8, CYLD, MLKL, RIP1, and RIP3 are critical factors in the necroptosis pathway. RIPK3 is one of the core molecules of necroptosis that forms a necrotic complex with RIPK1 and activates MLKL. Ultimately, the complex can lead to cell membrane rupture, the release of cell contents, and necroptosis. Additionally, MLKL can promote necroptosis via the activation of the Ca2+ influx [33]. In subsequent experiments, we detected the levels of genes related to necroptosis with RT-PCR and western blot. We tested the expression levels of caspase 8 and CYLD by RT-PCR. We tested the expression levels of caspase 8, MLKL, RIP1, and RIP3 by western blot. The results confirmed our hypothesis. The levels of CYLD, RIP1, RIP3, and MLKL were increased, and the level of caspase 8 was reduced by CPF. Nec-1 can efficiently suppress these changes (Figure 5(a)).


## 3.6. Quantification of NET Formation

Microscopy can only illustrate the NETs in appearance; however, we demonstrated the inhibitory effect of CPF on NETs by quantifying NETs. Figure5(b) illustrates that PMA can induce the production of NETs but that the addition of CPF reduced the amount of released NETs. The addition of Nec-1 reduced the inhibitory effects of CPF. This is consistent with our previous test results.


## 3.7. ROS, mRNA, and Protein Levels of the PKC-MAPK Pathway Components in Neutrophils

Respiratory burst is an essential stage in the formation of NETs and plays a decisive role in the process. The PKC-MAPK pathway is the upstream pathway of the respiratory burst, and the changes in the expression of the components of in the pathway will influence respiratory burst. Thus, we assayed the production of ROS and the mRNA and protein levels of the genes related to the PKC-MAPK pathway. The production of ROS was significantly enhanced in a time-dependent manner in neutrophils treated with all stimulators. The ROS levels in the cells treated with PMA, CPF+PMA, and Nec-1+CPF+PMA reached a peak after treatment for 45 min indicating that respiratory burst occurred in the PMA-treated cells at 45 min. The ROS levels in the PMA-treated cells were the highest followed by the Nec-1+CPF+PMA and CPF+PMA groups. The ROS levels in the CPF group continued to increase during 2 h treatment. The NC and Nec-1 groups had the lowest ROS levels (Figure3(a)). Then, we tested the mRNA and protein levels of the genes of the PKC/MAPK pathway. As shown in Figure 3(b), the gene expression levels of gpr84, DAG, RAF, PKC, and MAPK3 were increased after the addition of PMA. The levels of these genes followed a similar trend. The PMA group had the highest levels, the CPF+PMA group was the second high, and the NC group was the lowest. The protein levels of gpr84, DAG, RAF, PKC, and MAPK3 were similar to the mRNA levels.


## 4. Discussion

Neutrophils can respond to various stimuli, such as PMA, IL-8, or bacteria, by producing NETs [34]. Wei et al. had shown that sodium arsenic can induce NETs in neutrophils, and the induction was a NADPH oxidase signaling pathway-independent process [35]. Organophosphorus pesticides are widely used worldwide, and their harmful effects on neutrophils are not negligible. After the examination of workers exposed to organophosphorus pesticides, Queiroz et al. found that the killing of Candida albicans by neutrophils from the exposed workers was reduced [36]. After exposure to organophosphorus insecticides, leukopenia characterized by neutrophil phagocytosis and decreased phagocytic index was detected in carp [37]. In our study, we found that CPF inhibited the production of NETs caused by PMA and increased necroptosis. The inhibition of the PKC-MAPK pathway inhibited PMA-induced respiratory burst. After the addition of a necroptosis inhibitor, the amount of NETs has recovered.Cell death is an irreversible process that includes apoptosis, necrosis, and necroptosis. There is a close correlation between the various types of cell death. The removal of ROS can reduce cell necrosis and increase apoptosis [38]. Selenium deficiency in chicken cardiomyocytes induced apoptosis while inhibiting autophagy through the inhibition of Bax/Bcl-2 [39]. Mycobacterium tuberculosis killed infected macrophages by promoting necroptosis and inhibiting apoptosis [40]. Recent studies have shown that NETosis is a special form of cell death closely linked to other forms of cell death. Eduardo Caberlon has discovered that gallic acid can weaken the antiapoptotic effect produced by LPS and reduce the amount of generated NETs [41]. The inhibition of autophagy can reduce NETosis measured by chromatin condensation and can promote apoptosis [42]. ZVAD-fmk-induced necroptosis of the L929 cells depended on the autocrine production of TNFα mediated by the PKC-MAPKs-AP-1 pathway [43]. It has been shown that caspase 8, RIP1, RIP3, MLKL, and CYLD are important for the necroptosis pathway. Impaired MAPK activation was shown in the RIP1-deficient cells, and the cells were prone to necroptosis [44]. Yang et al. claimed that miR-200a-5p and RNF11 are involved in the RIP3-dependent necroptosis pathway triggered by MAPK [45]. The FOLE-induced overproduction of ROS can promote RIP1-dependent and caspase 8-licensed necroptosis [46]. The inhibition of caspase 8 induced RIPK3-dependent necroptosis [47]. In our study, the treatment of blood neutrophils with CPF can increase the levels of CYLD, RIP3, and MLKL and reduce the levels of caspase 8 suggesting that CPF induced necroptosis in neutrophils. PMA-induced NET release was also reduced. When we used Nec-1, necroptosis was inhibited. At the same time, the amount of NETs was recovered. Thus, we speculate that CPF can promote necroptosis and inhibit NETosis.CPF can manifest its toxic effects through the generation of ROS. After treatment with various concentrations of CPF, ROS in the rat pheochromocytoma cells was increased in a dose-dependent manner [48]. Betanin (a natural pigment) can decrease the CPF-induced increase in ROS formation to reduce hepatotoxicity in the primary rat hepatocytes [49]. Cotreatment with apocynin (a NADPH oxidase inhibitor) blunted the generation of ROS and the neurotoxicity induced by CPF [50]. Our results are consistent with these findings because CPF exposure induced an increase in the ROS levels. Liu et al. found that neutrophils can rapidly kill anthrax and respiratory burst contributed to this efficient effect [51]. Filifactor alocis resisted the antibacterial effect of neutrophils by preventing respiratory burst [52]. Respiratory burst is closely related to NETs. The formation of NETs induced by PMA requires the generation of respiratory burst [53]. Neutrophils eradicate microorganisms by respiratory burst and the release of NETs [54]. Plasma-free heme can cause the formation of NETs through respiratory burst [55]. The necessary condition for NETs is that ROS activates PAD4 and PAD4 regulates the citrullination of histones and then causes the decondensation of the chromatin [56]. ROS are not only necessary for PAD4 activation. ROS serves as a substrate for MPO, leading to the release of NE of the MPO/NE complex, allowing NE to enter the nuclei without any rupture of the granular and core membrane and cleaving histone H4 and therefore contribute to DNA decondensation [57–62]. Additionally, histone deamination by PAD4 during PMA-induced NETosis is still under investigation [18, 63, 64]. Moreover, the formation of NETs depends on the activation of PKC and ERK [65]. Menegazzo et al. found that metformin can prevent the membrane translocation of PKC-βII in neutrophils diminishing the response of NETosis [66]. Respiratory burst is closely related to the PKC-MAPK pathway. Berberine upregulated macrophage respiratory burst activity and PKC mRNA expression stimulated by PMA [67]. The attenuation of respiratory burst was regulated in a manner dependent on the PKC and MAPK pathways [68]. Our results showed that NETs induced by PMA are related to respiratory burst and the PKC-MAPK pathway. Once the respiratory burst was suppressed by CPF, the amount of released NETs decreased and the expression levels of gpr84G, DAG, RAF, PKC, and MAPK3 were also reduced. Rajeeve et al. demonstrated that CPF can suppress the respiratory burst and interfere with the production of NETs [69] consistent with our findings.In summary, our results suggest that CPF could reduce PMA-induced NET formation by necroptosis. At the same time, CPF inhibited respiratory burst induced by PMA through the PKC-MAPK pathway to inhibit NET production. Thus, these results provide the basis for studies of CPF toxicology and the physiological functions of neutrophils and add new insight into the mechanism of NETs.



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*Source: 1763589-2019-02-07.xml*