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Proteomic, biomechanical and functional analyses define neutrophil heterogeneity in systemic lupus erythematosus

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Bashant, Kathleen R  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2868-892X
Randazzo, Davide 
Rezvan Sangsari, Paniz 

Abstract

Objectives: Low-density granulocytes (LDGs) are a distinct subset of proinflammatory and vasculopathic neutrophils expanded in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Neutrophil trafficking and immune function are intimately linked to cellular biophysical properties. This study used proteomic, biomechanical and functional analyses to further define neutrophil heterogeneity in the context of SLE. Methods: Proteomic/phosphoproteomic analyses were performed in healthy control (HC) normal density neutrophils (NDNs), SLE NDNs and autologous SLE LDGs. The biophysical properties of these neutrophil subsets were analysed by real-time deformability cytometry and lattice light-sheet microscopy. A two-dimensional endothelial flow system and a three-dimensional microfluidic microvasculature mimetic (MMM) were used to decouple the contributions of cell surface mediators and biophysical properties to neutrophil trafficking, respectively. Results: Proteomic and phosphoproteomic differences were detected between HC and SLE neutrophils and between SLE NDNs and LDGs. Increased abundance of type 1 interferon-regulated proteins and differential phosphorylation of proteins associated with cytoskeletal organisation were identified in SLE LDGs relative to SLE NDNs. The cell surface of SLE LDGs was rougher than in SLE and HC NDNs, suggesting membrane perturbances. While SLE LDGs did not display increased binding to endothelial cells in the two-dimensional assay, they were increasingly retained/trapped in the narrow channels of the lung MMM. Conclusions: Modulation of the neutrophil proteome and distinct changes in biophysical properties are observed alongside differences in neutrophil trafficking. SLE LDGs may be increasingly retained in microvasculature networks, which has important pathogenic implications in the context of lupus organ damage and small vessel vasculopathy.

Description

Funder: NHLI Foundation


Funder: NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre; FundRef: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013342


Funder: National Heart Lung and Blood Institute


Funder: Medical Research Council; FundRef: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000265


Funder: National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering; FundRef: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100000070


Funder: Gates Cambridge Scholarship


Funder: NIH/OXCAM Fellowship

Keywords

Systemic lupus erythematosus, 2311, 2494, lupus erythematosus, systemic, inflammation, cardiovascular diseases

Journal Title

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0003-4967
1468-2060

Volume Title

Publisher

BMJ Publishing Group
Sponsorship
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (ZIA-AR041199)