Aged polymorphonuclear leukocytes cause fibrotic interstitial lung disease in the absence of regulation by B cells

JH Kim, J Podstawka, Y Lou, L Li, EKS Lee… - Nature …, 2018 - nature.com
JH Kim, J Podstawka, Y Lou, L Li, EKS Lee, M Divangahi, B Petri, FR Jirik, MM Kelly
Nature immunology, 2018nature.com
Pulmonary immunity requires tight regulation, as interstitial inflammation can compromise
gas exchange and lead to respiratory failure. Here we found a greater number of aged
CD11bhiL-selectinloCXCR4+ polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) in lung vasculature
than in the peripheral circulation. Using pulmonary intravital microscopy, we observed lung
PMNs physically interacting with B cells via β2 integrins; this initiated neutrophil apoptosis,
which led to macrophage-mediated clearance. Genetic deletion of B cells led to the …
Abstract
Pulmonary immunity requires tight regulation, as interstitial inflammation can compromise gas exchange and lead to respiratory failure. Here we found a greater number of aged CD11bhiL-selectinloCXCR4+ polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) in lung vasculature than in the peripheral circulation. Using pulmonary intravital microscopy, we observed lung PMNs physically interacting with B cells via β2 integrins; this initiated neutrophil apoptosis, which led to macrophage-mediated clearance. Genetic deletion of B cells led to the accumulation of aged PMNs in the lungs without systemic inflammation, which caused pathological fibrotic interstitial lung disease that was attenuated by the adoptive transfer of B cells or depletion of PMNs. Thus, the lungs are an intermediary niche in the PMN lifecycle wherein aged PMNs are regulated by B cells, which restrains their potential to cause pulmonary pathology.
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