Chromatin-activated neutrophils represent a major source of interferon-α

Background and objectives Nucleosomes (DNA-histones complexes) represent major autoantigens present in the circulation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. 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 and only a few lupus stimuli have been reported. On the other hand, neutrophils represent 50% of total blood leucocytes. Moreover, granulocytes are activated in SLE, especially neutrophils triggered by nucleosomes. 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 and the natural lupus stimuli, focusing on nucleosome-induced IFNα production by neutrophils and the impact of TLR9. Materials and methods Chromatin (mono-nucleosomes) was purified from calf thymus. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and neutrophils were isolated from healthy individuals and SLE patients. Mouse neutrophils were purified from the bone marrow. All cell types were characterised by flow cytometry. Cells were activated with different stimuli and IFNα production was estimated by flow cytometry (intracellular staining). IFNα secretion was confirmed by ELISA. Polymorphonuclear leucocyte activation was verified by measuring CD66b or CD11b upregulation (flow cytometry) and interleukin 8 (IL-8) or macrophage inflammatory protein 2 secretion (ELISA). Results Isolated neutrophils produce IFNα upon stimulation with chromatin. IFNα secretion by neutrophils was confirmed by ELISA and was observed with steady-state neutrophils, and not pro-inflammatory neutrophils, from both healthy donors and SLE patients. Neutrophil-derived IFNα was detected in response to free chromatin, and not chromatin-containing immune complexes, as well as TLR9 agonists but not TLR4 agonists. Nucleosome-induced IFNα production by neutrophils was associated with IL-8 secretion and CD66b upregulation. Neutrophil priming by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor is not required. Autologous PBMC and platelets sustain IFNα secretion by chromatin-activated neutrophils in co-cultures. pDC also produced IFNα upon activation with nucleosomes or TLR9 agonists but to a lower extent. Finally, chromatin-induced IFNα secretion occurs independently of TLR9 since neutrophils isolated from both wild-type and TLR9-deficient mice were activated. Conclusions Neutrophils represent a major source of IFNα. 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, a situation met in SLE patients. Chromatin-activated neutrophils may secrete IFNα early during the lupus disease, before immune complexes are produced, bypassing the classical mechanism involving pDC.