TLR9-independent and immune complex-independent interferon α production by neutrophils upon netosis in response to circulating chromatin
Authors: Dennis Lindau, Armin Rabsteyn, Julie Mussard, Matthieu Ribon, Ina Kötter, Annette Igney, Gosse Adema, Marie-Christophe Boissier, Hans-Georg Rammensee, Patrice Decker
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2012)

<h3>Background and objectives</h3> Chromatin represents a major autoantigen in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Interferon α(IFNα) plays an important role in lupus development. Although activated plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) are believed to be the main producers of IFNα in SLE, pDC represent a minor cell population. On the other hand, neutrophils represent 50% of total blood leucocytes and are activated in SLE, especially by chromatin. Toll-like receptor (TLR) 9 recognises certain forms of DNA but its role in SLE is still not elucidated. The authors therefore sought to determine the cellular source of IFNα as well as the natural stimuli in SLE and the impact of TLR9. <h3>Materials and methods</h3> 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 IFNα production/secretion was estimated by flow cytometry, ELISA and a bioassay. Neutrophil activation was verified by flow cytometry and ELISA. Gene expression was analysed by qPCR. Neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) induction was estimated by confocal microscopy. <h3>Results</h3> Isolated neutrophils produce IFNα upon stimulation with chromatin. IFNα 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 IFNα was detected in response to free chromatin, and not chromatin-containing immune complexes, as well as TLR9 agonists. Nucleosome-induced IFNα production by neutrophils was associated with IL-8 secretion, CD66b up-regulation, ROS production and NET formation (NETosis). Neutrophil priming is not required. PBMC sustain IFNα secretion by chromatin-activated neutrophils in co-cultures. Importantly, chromatin-induced IFNα 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 IFNα and several DNA sensors, for example, AIM2 and STING. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Neutrophils represent a major source of IFNα. IFNα was detected at the mRNA and protein levels and in an active secreted form. This is the first report showing both that steady-state neutrophils can secrete IFNα and identifying a natural lupus stimulus involved. 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 IFNα 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.