[PDF][PDF] Neutrophils regulate humoral autoimmunity by restricting interferon-γ production via the generation of reactive oxygen species

X Huang, J Li, S Dorta-Estremera, J Di Domizio… - Cell reports, 2015 - cell.com
X Huang, J Li, S Dorta-Estremera, J Di Domizio, SM Anthony, SS Watowich, D Popkin, Z Liu…
Cell reports, 2015cell.com
Here, we examine the mechanism by which plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and type I
interferons promote humoral autoimmunity. In an amyloid-induced experimental
autoimmune model, neutrophil depletion enhanced anti-nuclear antibody development,
which correlated with heightened IFN-γ production by natural killer (NK) cells. IFN-α/β
produced by pDCs activated NK cells via IL-15 induction. Neutrophils released reactive
oxygen species (ROS), which negatively modulated the levels of IL-15, thereby inhibiting …
Summary
Here, we examine the mechanism by which plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and type I interferons promote humoral autoimmunity. In an amyloid-induced experimental autoimmune model, neutrophil depletion enhanced anti-nuclear antibody development, which correlated with heightened IFN-γ production by natural killer (NK) cells. IFN-α/β produced by pDCs activated NK cells via IL-15 induction. Neutrophils released reactive oxygen species (ROS), which negatively modulated the levels of IL-15, thereby inhibiting IFN-γ production. Mice deficient in NADPH oxidase 2 produced increased amounts of IFN-γ and developed augmented titers of autoantibodies. Both the pDC-IFN-α/β pathway and IFN-γ were indispensable in stimulating humoral autoimmunity. Male NZB/W F1 mice expressed higher levels of superoxide than their female lupus-prone siblings, and depletion of neutrophils resulted in spontaneous NK cell and autoimmune B cell activation. Our findings suggest a regulatory role for neutrophils in vivo and highlight the importance of an NK-IFN-γ axis downstream of the pDC-IFN-α/β pathway in systemic autoimmunity.
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