JAGN1 is required for fungal killing in neutrophil extracellular traps: Implications for severe congenital neutropenia

Mechanistic insights into granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in combating fungal infections: Diverse fungal pathogens

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) has been used for its immunomodulatory properties to enhance therapeutic outcomes and improve cure rates in fungal infections. However, the mechanisms of GM-CSF action in various fungal infections have not been systematically summarized in current literature, and the reliability and broad effectiveness of clinical data remain uncertain. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of how GM-CSF supports host defense against infections caused by specific fungal pathogens. These pathogens include yeasts (Candida spp., Cryptococcus spp.), filamentous fungi (Aspergillus spp., Mucorales, dematiaceous fungi), and thermally dimorphic fungi (Histoplasma capsulatum, Talaromyces marneffei, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, and Blastomyces dermatitidis). These insights underscore the potential of GM-CSF as a promising adjunctive therapy in combating challenging fungal infections.

The pro-inflammatory responses of innate immune cells to Leishmania RNA virus 2-infected L. major support the survival and proliferation of the parasites

Infection of Leishmania by Leishmania RNA virus (LRV) has been proposed as a pathogenic factor that induces pro-inflammatory responses through the TLR3/TLR4 signaling pathway. We investigated the effect of L. major infection by LRV2 on innate immune cell responses (human neutrophil (HL-60) and macrophage (THP-1) cell lines). The expression levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine genes as well as genes involved in the amino acid metabolism of arginine were then investigated by RT-qPCR. Moreover, the expression of TLR genes and their downstream signaling pathways were compared in THP-1 cells infected with the two isolates. Apoptosis was also evaluated in infected THP-1 and HL-60 cells using the PI/Annexin V flow cytometry assay. In both cell lines, the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines increased in response to LRV2+ L. major (Lm+), and the expression of chemokines shifted toward macrophage recruitment. In contrast to LRV2- L. major (Lm-), Lm + infected THP-1 cells acquired the M2-like phenotype. The presence of LRV2 increased the gene expression of TLRs and their signaling pathways, especially TLR3 and TLR4, which was proportional to the increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, Lm + increased the expression of IL-10 and IFN-β, which contribute to the survival and growth of the parasite in the phagolysosome. Altogether, our results showed that Lm + could stimulate pro-inflammatory responses that promote parasite replication and stabilization in the host.

Case report: Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor sargramostim did not rescue the neutrophil phenotype in two patients with JAGN1-mutant severe congenital neutropenia

Background

Homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in JAGN1 cause severe congenital neutropenia. JAGN1-mutant patients present with severe early-onset bacterial infections and most have been described as low-responders to recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) therapy. In a murine, hematopoietic JAGN1 knockout model, which displays susceptibility to Candida albicans infection in the absence of neutropenia, treatment with granulocyte-macrophage-CSF (GM-CSF) was able to restore the functional defect of neutrophils.

Patients

We present two unrelated patients with biallelic JAGN1 mutations, who were both treated with subcutaneous GM-CSF (sargramostim) after treatment failure to G-CSF. The first patient was an 18-year-old pregnant woman who received GM-CSF at 12 weeks of gestation up to a dose of 10 µg/kg/d for 7 days. The second patient was a 5-month-old girl who received GM-CSF for a total of 9 days at a dose of up to 20 µg/kg/d. GM-CSF did not increase neutrophil counts in our patients. Treatment was stopped when neutrophil numbers declined further, no beneficial effect was noticed, and patients presented with infections. No adverse effects were observed in either patient and the fetus. Both patients ultimately underwent successful hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Discussion

Both patients showed a high recurrence rate of severe infections on G-CSF treatment. GM-CSF therapy did not ameliorate the clinical phenotype, in contrast to the improvement of neutrophil function observed in the JAGN1 mouse model. No major additional extra-hematopoietic manifestations were evident in our patients.

Conclusion

In two unrelated patients, GM-CSF did not have any beneficial effect on neutrophil counts. Patients with JAGN1-mutant SCN with reduced G-CSF responsiveness and elevated infection rate should be evaluated early for stem cell transplantation.

A JAGN1-associated severe congenital neutropenia zebrafish model revealed an altered G-CSFR signaling and UPR activation

ABSTRACT

A variety of autosomal recessive mutations in the JAGN1 gene cause severe congenital neutropenia (CN). However, the underlying pathomechanism remains poorly understood, mainly because of the limited availability of primary hematopoietic stem cells from JAGN1-CN patients and the absence of animal models. In this study, we aimed to address these limitations by establishing a zebrafish model of JAGN1-CN. We found 2 paralogs of the human JAGN1 gene, namely jagn1a and jagn1b, which play distinct roles during zebrafish hematopoiesis. Using various approaches such as morpholino-based knockdown, CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing, and misexpression of a jagn1b harboring a specific human mutation, we successfully developed neutropenia while leaving other hematopoietic lineages unaffected. Further analysis of our model revealed significant upregulation of apoptosis and genes involved in the unfolded protein response (UPR). However, neither UPR nor apoptosis is the primary mechanism that leads to neutropenia in zebrafish. Instead, Jagn1b has a critical role in granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor signaling and steady-state granulopoiesis, shedding light on the pathogenesis of neutropenia associated with JAGN1 mutations. The establishment of a zebrafish model for JAGN1-CN represents a significant advancement in understanding the specific pathologic pathways underlying the disease. This model provides a valuable in vivo tool for further investigation and exploration of potential therapeutic strategies.

Extracellular traps development in canine neutrophils induced by infective stage Toxocara canis larvae

Neutrophils, a crucial element of the host defense system, develop extracellular traps against helminth parasites. Neutrophils accumulate around the larvae of Toxocara canis (T. canis) in the tissues of the organism. This study aimed to determine the reaction in canine neutrophils after incubation with infective stage T. canis larvae (L3) in vitro. Most L3 were still active and moved between the extracellular traps (NETs) after 60-min incubation. NETs were not disintegrated by L3 movement. The L3 was only immobilized by NETs, entrapped larvae were still motile between the traps at the 24 h incubation. NETs were observed not only to accumulate around the mouth, excretory pole or anus but also the entire body of live L3. The extracellular DNA amount released from the canine neutrophils after being induced with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate was not affected by T. canis excretory/secretory products obtained from 250 L3. To the Authors'knowledge, the extracellular trap structures was firstly observed in canine neutrophils against T. canis L3 in vitro. NETs decorated with myeloperoxidase, neutrophil elastase and histone (H3) were observed under fluorescence microscope. There were not significant differences in the amount of extracellular DNA (P > 0.05), but the morphological structure of NETs was different in the live and head-inactivated T. canis larvae.

Composition and Function of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are intricate fibrous structures released by neutrophils in response to specific stimuli. These structures are composed of depolymerized chromatin adorned with histones, granule proteins, and cytosolic proteins. NETs are formed via two distinct pathways known as suicidal NETosis, which involves NADPH oxidase (NOX), and vital NETosis, which is independent of NOX. Certain proteins found within NETs exhibit strong cytotoxic effects against both pathogens and nearby host cells. While NETs play a defensive role against pathogens, they can also contribute to tissue damage and worsen inflammation. Despite extensive research on the pathophysiological role of NETs, less attention has been paid to their components, which form a unique structure containing various proteins that have significant implications in a wide range of diseases. This review aims to elucidate the components of NETs and provide an overview of their impact on host defense against invasive pathogens, autoimmune diseases, and cancer.

Two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide nanosheets evoke nitric oxide-dependent antibacterial effects

Nanomaterials are currently being explored as novel antimicrobial agents. In this study, we first investigated the ability of two-dimensional (2D) molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets to trigger neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) using neutrophil-differentiated HL-60 cells as well as primary human peripheral blood neutrophils. We then addressed whether the MoS2 nanosheets themselves function as antibacterial agents. We found that MoS2 and Na2MoO4 both triggered NETs, as evidenced by the quantification of neutrophil elastase (NE) activity and immunofluorescence staining of extracellular NE, as well as scanning electron microscopy. The release of NETs was found to be nitric oxide (NO)-dependent. We also found that the MoS2 nanosheets but not the soluble salt prompted acellular NO production in the presence of NaNO2. The acellular generation of NO, suggestive of nanozyme properties of the MoS2 nanosheets, was demonstrated by electron paramagnetic resonance analysis. Electrochemical analysis using cyclic voltammetry confirmed the redox transition of the MoS2 nanosheets. Finally, MoS2 nanosheets inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli in the presence of sodium nitrate. Taken together, MoS2 nanosheets triggered cellular effects as well as acellular antibacterial effects, and we provided evidence for nitrite reductase-like properties of MoS2.

Candida albicans induces neutrophil extracellular traps and leucotoxic hypercitrullination via candidalysin

The peptide toxin candidalysin, secreted by Candida albicans hyphae, promotes stimulation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). However, candidalysin alone triggers a distinct mechanism for NET-like structures (NLS), which are more compact and less fibrous than canonical NETs. Candidalysin activates NADPH oxidase and calcium influx, with both processes contributing to morphological changes in neutrophils resulting in NLS formation. NLS are induced by leucotoxic hypercitrullination, which is governed by calcium-induced protein arginine deaminase 4 activation and initiation of intracellular signalling events in a dose- and time-dependent manner. However, activation of signalling by candidalysin does not suffice to trigger downstream events essential for NET formation, as demonstrated by lack of lamin A/C phosphorylation, an event required for activation of cyclin-dependent kinases that are crucial for NET release. Candidalysin-triggered NLS demonstrate anti-Candida activity, which is resistant to nuclease treatment and dependent on the deprivation of Zn2+ . This study reveals that C. albicans hyphae releasing candidalysin concurrently trigger canonical NETs and NLS, which together form a fibrous sticky network that entangles C. albicans hyphae and efficiently inhibits their growth.

Severe congenital neutropenia due to jagunal homolog 1 (JAGN1) mutation: a case report and literature review

Severe congenital neutropenia caused by jagunal homolog 1 (JAGN1) mutation is a rare condition resulting from maturation arrest secondary to endoplasmic reticulum stress response from impaired neutrophil protein glycosylation. Here, we report a case of a 4-year-old boy who presented with a history of recurrent infections and manifestations, including recurrent intracranial hemorrhage. A review of similar cases reported in the literature indicates that a bleeding diathesis has not been previously described in these patients. We hypothesize that this newly described association of bleeding complications in this patient with JAGN1 mutation is secondary to defective glycosylation in the normal functioning of platelets or clotting factors. Recurrent infections with intracranial hemorrhage, new focal neurologic defects, or altered mental status in a child should warrant a suspicion for this immunodeficiency for the prompt initiation of treatment and prophylaxis for life-threatening infections or trauma.

JAGN1 mutation with distinct clinical features; two case reports and literature review

Jagunal homolog 1 (JAGN1) has been recognized as an essential protein in neutrophil function. The mutated JAGN1 is responsible for immunodeficiency related to innate and humoral defense mechanisms. This deficiency impairs neutrophil development and function, leading to recurrent infections and facial dysmorphism as phenotypic consequences of severe congenital neutropenia (SCN). We report two siblings having the reported JAGN1 mutation with different clinical manifestations. Recurrent abscess formation unresponsive to antibiotic therapy, a history of delayed umbilical separation, frequent bacterial or fungal infection, dysmorphic face, failure to thrive, and other coexisting organ abnormalities should prompt physicians to syndromic immunodeficiencies involving neutrophils. Genetic investigations to elucidate the responsible mutation is critical as clinical management varies. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, a multi-disciplinary team should perform further workups to investigate other coexisting malformations and neurodevelopmental evaluation.

Potential roles of Toxocara canis larval excretory secretory molecules in immunomodulation and immune evasion

Toxocara canis larvae invade various tissues of different vertebrate species without developing into adults in paratenic host. The long-term survival of the larvae despite exposure to the well-armed immune response is a notable achievement. The larvae modulate the immune response to help the survival of both the host and the larvae. They skew the immune response to type 2/regulatory phenotype. The outstanding ability of the larvae to modulate the host immune response and to evade the immune arms is attributed to the secretion of Toxocara excretory-secretory products (TESPs). TESPs are complex mixture of differing molecules. The present review deals with the molecular composition of the TESPs, their interaction with the host molecules, their effect on the innate immune response, the receptor recognition, the downstream signals the adaptive immunity and the repair of tissues. This review also addresses the role of TESPs molecules in the immune evasion strategy and the potential effect of the induced immunomodulation in some diseases. Identification of parasite components that influence the nematode-host interactions could enhance understanding the molecular basis of nematode pathogenicity. Furthermore, the identification of helminths molecules with immunomodulatory potential could be used in immunotherapies for some diseases.

De Novo Somatic Mosaicism of CYBB Caused by Intronic LINE-1 Element Insertion Resulting in Chronic Granulomatous Disease

Chronic granulomatosis disease (CGD) is a rare inborn error of immunity, characterized by phagocytic respiratory outbreak dysfunction. Mutations causing CGD occur in CYBB on the X chromosome and in the autosomal genes CYBA, NCF1, NCF2, NCF4, RAC2, and CYBC1. Nevertheless, some patients are clinically diagnosed with CGD, due to abnormal respiratory outbursts, while the pathogenic gene mutation is unidentified. Here, we report a patient with CGD who first presented with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin disease and had recurrent pneumonia. He was diagnosed with CGD by nitro blue tetrazolium and respiratory burst tests. Detailed assessment of neutrophil activity revealed that patient neutrophils were almost entirely nonfunctional. Sanger sequencing detected a 6-kb insertion of a LINE-1 transposable element in the third intron of CYBB, leading to abnormal splicing and pseudoexon insertion, as well as introduction of a premature termination codon, resulting in predicted protein truncation. Clonal analysis demonstrated that the patient had somatic mosaicism, and the phagocytes were almost all variant CYBB, while the mosaicism rate of PBMC was about 65%. Finally, deep RNA sequencing and gp91^phox expression analysis confirmed the pathogenicity of the mutation. In conclusion, we demonstrate that insertion of a LINE-1 transposon in a CYBB intron was responsible for CGD in our patient. Intron LINE-1 transposon element insertion should be examined in CGD patients without any known disease-causing gene mutation, in addition to identification of new genes.

Progranulin aggravates lethal Candida albicans sepsis by regulating inflammatory response and antifungal immunity

Candida albicans is the most frequent pathogen of fungal sepsis associated with substantial mortality in critically ill patients and those who are immunocompromised. Identification of novel immune-based therapeutic targets from a better understanding of its molecular pathogenesis is required. Here, we reported that the production of progranulin (PGRN) levels was significantly increased in mice after invasive C.albicans infection. Mice that lacked PGRN exhibited attenuated kidney injury and increased survival upon a lethal systemic infection with C. albicans. In mice, PGRN deficiency protected against systemic candidiasis by decreasing aberrant inflammatory reactions that led to renal immune cell apoptosis and kidney injury, and by enhancing antifungal capacity of macrophages and neutrophils that limited fungal burden in the kidneys. PGRN in hematopoietic cell compartment was important for this effect. Moreover, anti-PGRN antibody treatment limited renal inflammation and fungal burden and prolonged survival after invasive C. albicans infection. In vitro, PGRN loss increased phagocytosis, phagosome formation, reactive oxygen species production, neutrophil extracellular traps release, and killing activity in macrophages or neutrophils. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that PGRN loss up-regulated Dectin-2 expression, and enhanced spleen tyrosine kinase phosphorylation and extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation in macrophages and neutrophils. In summary, we identified PGRN as a critical factor that contributes to the immunopathology of invasive C.albicans infection, suggesting that targeting PGRN might serve as a novel treatment for fungal infection.

The emerging role of neutrophil extracellular traps in fungal infection

Fungal infections are global public health problems and can lead to substantial human morbidity and mortality. Current antifungal therapy is not satisfactory, especially for invasive, life-threatening fungal infections. Modulating the antifungal capacity of the host immune system is a feasible way to combat fungal infections. Neutrophils are key components of the innate immune system that resist fungal pathogens by releasing reticular extracellular structures called neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). When compared with phagocytosis and oxidative burst, NETs show better capability in terms of trapping large pathogens, such as fungi. This review will summarize interactions between fungal pathogens and NETs. Molecular mechanisms of fungi-induced NETs formation and defensive strategies used by fungi are also discussed.

Kostmann disease and other forms of severe congenital neutropenia

Congenital neutropenia with autosomal recessive inheritance was first described by the Swedish paediatrician Rolf Kostmann who coined the term 'infantile genetic agranulocytosis'. The condition is now commonly referred to as Kostmann disease. These patients display a maturation arrest of the myelopoiesis in the bone marrow and reduced neutrophil numbers and suffer from recurrent, often life-threatening infections. The molecular mechanism underlying congenital neutropenia has been intensively investigated, and mutations in genes that impinge on programmed cell death have been identified. The present review provides an overview of these studies.

Identification of Toxocara canis Antigen-Interacting Partners by Yeast Two-Hybrid Assay and a Putative Mechanism of These Host-Parasite Interactions

Toxocara canis is a zoonotic roundworm that infects humans and dogs all over the world. Upon infection, larvae migrate to various tissues leading to different clinical syndromes. The host–parasite interactions underlying the process of infection remain poorly understood. Here, we describe the application of a yeast two-hybrid assay to screen a human cDNA library and analyse the interactome of T. canis larval molecules. Our data identifies 16 human proteins that putatively interact with the parasite. These molecules were associated with major biological processes, such as protein processing, transport, cellular component organisation, immune response and cell signalling. Some of these identified interactions are associated with the development of a Th2 response, neutrophil activity and signalling in immune cells. Other interactions may be linked to neurodegenerative processes observed during neurotoxocariasis, and some are associated with lung pathology found in infected hosts. Our results should open new areas of research and provide further data to enable a better understanding of this complex and underestimated disease.

Severe congenital neutropenia-associated JAGN1 mutations unleash a calpain-dependent cell death programme in myeloid cells

Severe congenital neutropenia (SCN) of autosomal recessive inheritance, also known as Kostmann disease, is characterised by a lack of neutrophils and a propensity for life-threatening infections. Using whole-exome sequencing, we identified homozygous JAGN1 mutations (p.Gly14Ser and p.Glu21Asp) in three patients with Kostmann-like SCN, thus confirming the recent attribution of JAGN1 mutations to SCN. Using the human promyelocytic cell line HL-60 as a model, we found that overexpression of patient-derived JAGN1 mutants, but not silencing of JAGN1, augmented cell death in response to the pro-apoptotic stimuli, etoposide, staurosporine, and thapsigargin. Furthermore, cells expressing mutant JAGN1 were remarkably susceptible to agonists that normally trigger degranulation and succumbed to a calcium-dependent cell death programme. This mode of cell death was completely prevented by pharmacological inhibition of calpain but unaffected by caspase inhibition. In conclusion, our results confirmed the association between JAGN1 mutations and SCN and showed that SCN-associated JAGN1 mutations unleash a calcium- and calpain-dependent cell death in myeloid cells.

Neutrophil extracellular traps promote corneal neovascularization-induced by alkali burn

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effects of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) on angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo and the regulatory role of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity in it.

METHODS

The regulatory role of mTOR in NETs formation was explored. In vitro, human neutrophils were pretreated with rapamycin. NETs formation was measured using immunofluorescence staining of NETs markers, SYTOX Green and PicoGreen after NaOH stimulation. In vivo, mice were treated with rapamycin, and NETs formation in cornea was measured using immunofluorescence staining 7 days after alkali burn. Then, the effects of NETs on angiogenesis were investigated. In vitro, human neutrophils were treated with DNase I or rapamycin. NETs were isolated after NaOH stimulation and the isolated NETs were co-culture with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). HUVECs migration, proliferation, and inflammatory activation were measured. In vivo, mice were injected subconjunctivally with supernatant containing NETs. Corneal neovascularization was visualized by immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTS

NETs structures can be observed in NaOH-stimulated neutrophils and alkali-burned mouse cornea compared with normal group. Treated with rapamycin enhanced NETs formation in response to NaOH management compared with DMSO control in vitro and in vivo. NETs increased the migration, proliferation and inflammatory activation of HUVECs, and subconjunctival injection of NETs promoted inflammatory and angiogenic response in corneal alkali burn model.

CONCLUSIONS

NETs formation can be triggered by NaOH stimulation. mTOR activity has a negative regulatory effect on NETs formation. NETs promoted angiogenic responses and inflammatory activation of HUVECs and increased corneal neovascularization and inflammatory response.

JAGN1, tetraspanins, and Erv proteins: is common topology indicative of common function in cargo sorting?

The endoplasmic reticulum protein Jagunal (JAGN1) was first identified as a requirement for Drosophila melanogaster oocyte development. Subsequent studies in human patients linked mutations in JAGN1 to severe congenital neutropenia, as well as a broad range of additional symptoms, suggesting that JAGN1 function is required in many tissues. Moreover, JAGN1 orthologs are found throughout animal and plant phylogeny, suggesting that JAGN1 supports fundamental cellular processes not restricted to egg development or neutrophil function. JAGN1 lacks sequence similarity or recognizable domains other than a coatomer protein complex I-binding motif, and its cellular function is currently unknown. JAGN1 shares a tetraspanning membrane topology with two families of known cargo transporters: the tetraspanins and the endoplasmic reticulum vesicle (Erv) proteins. Herein, we discuss the similarities between JAGN1, tetraspanins, and Ervs and, based on those, suggest a role for JAGN1 in facilitating the traffic of cell-restricted and ubiquitously expressed proteins at the endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi interface.

Platelet-derived exosomes promote neutrophil extracellular trap formation during septic shock

Background

Platelets have been demonstrated to be potent activators of neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation during sepsis. However, the mediators and molecular pathways involved in human platelet-mediated NET generation remain poorly defined. Circulating plasma exosomes mostly originating from platelets may induce vascular apoptosis and myocardial dysfunction during sepsis; however, their role in NET formation remains unclear. This study aimed to detect whether platelet-derived exosomes could promote NET formation during septic shock and determine the potential mechanisms involved.

Methods

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) were cocultured with exosomes isolated from the plasma of healthy controls and septic shock patients or the supernatant of human platelets stimulated ex vivo with phosphate buffer saline (PBS) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). A lethal cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) mouse model was used to mimic sepsis in vivo; then, NET formation and molecular pathways were detected.

Results

NET components (dsDNA and MPO-DNA complexes) were significantly increased in response to treatment with septic shock patient-derived exosomes and correlated positively with disease severity and outcome. In the animal CLP model, platelet depletion reduced plasma exosome concentration, NET formation, and lung injury. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that exosomal high-mobility group protein 1 (HMGB1) and/or miR-15b-5p and miR-378a-3p induced NET formation through the Akt/mTOR autophagy pathway. Furthermore, the results suggested that IκB kinase (IKK) controls platelet-derived exosome secretion in septic shock.

Conclusions

Platelet-derived exosomes promote excessive NET formation in sepsis and subsequent organ injury. This finding suggests a previously unidentified role of platelet-derived exosomes in sepsis and may lead to new therapeutic approaches.

CDG and immune response: From bedside to bench and back

Glycosylation is an essential biological process that adds structural and functional diversity to cells and molecules, participating in physiological processes such as immunity. The immune response is driven and modulated by protein-attached glycans that mediate cell-cell interactions, pathogen recognition and cell activation. Therefore, abnormal glycosylation can be associated with deranged immune responses. Within human diseases presenting immunological defects are congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG), a family of around 130 rare and complex genetic diseases. In this review, we have identified 23 CDG with immunological involvement, characterized by an increased propensity to-often life-threatening-infection. Inflammatory and autoimmune complications were found in 7 CDG types. CDG natural history(ies) and the mechanisms behind the immunological anomalies are still poorly understood. However, in some cases, alterations in pathogen recognition and intracellular signaling (eg, TGF-β1, NFAT, and NF-κB) have been suggested. Targeted therapies to restore immune defects are only available for PGM3-CDG and SLC35C1-CDG. Fostering research on glycoimmunology may elucidate the involved pathophysiological mechanisms and open new therapeutic avenues, thus improving CDG patients' quality of life.

Screening of genetic variants in ELANE mutation negative congenital neutropenia by next generation sequencing

AIMS

Congenital neutropenia (CN) is a rare inherited disease that results in recurrent, life-threatening bacterial infections due to a deficiency of mature neutrophils. They are usually caused by heterozygous ELANE mutations although mutations in other genes like HAX-1, G6PC3 and GFI1 have also been reported. Identifying the causative mutation aids in the establishment of diagnosis and rules out other secondary causes of neutropenia like autoimmune cytopenia and evolving aplasia. We aimed to identify the molecular defects in CN patients who had no mutations in ELANE gene, by next generation sequencing (NGS) targeting a customised panel of genes.

METHODS

DNA samples were sequenced with an Illumina NextSeq sequencer using an in-house customised panel of genes at ≥100× depth. Bioinformatics analysis was carried out and the pathogenic variants were identified using a stepwise filtering and analysis strategy. Specific mutations identified were subsequently validated by Sanger sequencing.

RESULTS

The pathogenic variants identified in the study includes previously reported variants in SBDS (compound heterozygous c.258+2T>C and c.1A>T), GATA2 (heterozygous c.1186C>T) and novel variants in WAS (hemizygous c.812T>C), JAGN1 (homozygous c.70G>A) and RTEL1 (heterozygous c.2893G>C) genes.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights that the absence of ELANE mutations does not rule out the diagnosis of CN and this NGS based approach with a customised panel will help in diagnostic confirmation in such patients. The early onset of the disease, clinical severity and associated high risk of malignant transformation in CN strongly suggests the need for early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention.

Intra- and Extracellular Degradation of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps by Macrophages and Dendritic Cells

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) composed of nuclear DNA associated with histones and granule proteins are involved in the extracellular killing of pathogens. Excessive NET formation has been implicated in several noninfectious pathological conditions. The disposal of NETs is, therefore, important to prevent inadvertent effects resulting from the continued presence of NETs in the extracellular environment. In this study, we investigated the interaction of NETs released by freshly isolated, PMA-stimulated primary human neutrophils with primary human monocyte-derived macrophages or dendritic cells (DCs). NETs were internalized by macrophages, and removal of the protein component prevented engulfment of NETs, whereas complexation with LL-37 restored the uptake of "naked" (protein-free) NETs. NETs were also found to dampen the bacterial LPS-induced maturation of DCs. Cytokine profiling was conducted by using a multiplex array following the interaction of NETs with macrophages or DCs, and NETs alone were found to be noninflammatory, whereas immunomodulatory effects were noted in the presence of LPS with significant upregulation of IL-1β secretion, and a marked suppression of other LPS-induced factors including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in both cell types. Moreover, macrophage digestion of NETs was dependent on TREX1 (also known as DNaseIII), but not DNaseII, whereas extracellular DNase1L3-mediated degradation of NETs was observed for DCs. Collectively, these findings shed light on the interactions between NETs and phagocytic cells and provide new insights regarding the clearance of NETs, double-edged swords of innate immunity.

Role of the lipoxin A4 receptor in the development of neutrophil extracellular traps in Leishmania infantum infection

BACKGROUND

Neutrophils play an immunomodulatory role through the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). NETs are released in response to Leishmania infection, but the mechanism of NET extrusion has not been elucidated. The lipoxin A4 receptor on neutrophils is crucial for the inflammatory response and immune regulation of many diseases, including Leishmania infection. Therefore, in the present study, we tried to explore whether Leishmania infantum promastigotes stimulate neutrophil activation and NET release via activating the lipoxin A4 receptor.

RESULTS

Leishmania infantum promastigotes stimulated neutrophil activity, but blocking of the lipoxin A4 receptor with its antagonist Boc prior to L. infantum stimulation abrogated these effects. Neutrophils showed citrullinated histone H3 expression and simultaneous NET extrusion on L. infantum stimulation, but a decline in both was observed on blocking of the lipoxin A4 receptor. Moreover, differentiated HL-60 cells with lipoxin A4 receptor silencing showed a decrease in citrullinated histone H3 expression as compared to the unsilenced HL-60 samples on stimulation with promastigotes.

CONCLUSIONS

Leishmania infantum promastigotes altered the characteristics of neutrophils and induced NET extrusion by activating the lipoxin A4 receptor. The lipoxin A4 receptor may have potential as a therapeutic target in relation to NET extrusion in the treatment of leishmaniasis, but its mechanisms of action need to be explored in more depth.