scholarly journals Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Digestive Cancers: Warrior or Accomplice

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuxin Chen ◽  
Lulu Han ◽  
Xiaoyan Qiu ◽  
Gang Wang ◽  
Junnian Zheng

Characterized as a complex of extracellular DNA fibers and granule proteins, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are generated specifically by neutrophils which play a critical role in host defense and immune regulation. NETs have been initially found crucial for neutrophil anti-microbial function. Recent studies suggest that NETs are involved in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. However, the function of NETs in cancer remains unclear, which might be due to the variation of research models and the heterogeneity of cancers. Although most of malignant tumors have similar biological behaviors, significant differences indeed exist in various systems. Malignant tumors of the digestive system cause the most incidence and mortality of cancer worldwide. In this review, we would focus on research developments on NETs in digestive cancers to provide insights on their role in digestive cancer progression and future research directions.

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Senna Staessens ◽  
Olivier François ◽  
Linda Desender ◽  
Peter Vanacker ◽  
Tom Dewaele ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Mechanical removal of a thrombus by thrombectomy can be quite challenging. For reasons that are not fully understood, some thrombi require multiple passes to achieve successful recanalization, whereas other thrombi are efficiently removed in a single pass. Since first pass success is associated with better clinical outcome, it is important to better understand the nature of thrombectomy resistant thrombi. The aim of this study was therefore to characterize the cellular and molecular composition of a thrombus that was very hard to retrieve via mechanical thrombectomy. Case presentation In a patient that was admitted with a right middle cerebral artery M1-occlusion, 11 attempts using various thrombectomy devices and techniques were required for removal of the thrombus. This peculiar case provided a rare opportunity to perform an in-depth histopathological study of a difficult to retrieve thrombus. Thrombus material was histologically analyzed using hematoxylin and eosin, Martius Scarlet Blue stain (red blood cells and fibrin), Feulgen stain (DNA), von Kossa stain (calcifications) and immunohistochemical analysis of von Willebrand factor, platelets, leukocytes and neutrophil extracellular traps. Histological analysis revealed abnormally high amounts of extracellular DNA, leukocytes, von Willebrand factor and calcifications. Extracellular DNA stained positive for markers of leukocytes and NETs, suggesting that a significant portion of DNA is derived from neutrophil extracellular traps. Conclusion In this unique case of a nearly thrombectomy-resistant stroke thrombus, our study showed an atypical composition compared to the common structural features found in ischemic stroke thrombi. The core of the retrieved thrombus consisted of extracellular DNA that colocalized with von Willebrand factor and microcalcifications. These results support the hypothesis that von Willebrand factor, neutrophil extracellular traps and microcalcifications contribute to mechanical thrombectomy resistance. Such information is important to identify novel targets in order to optimize technical treatment protocols and techniques to increase first pass success rates.


Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (16) ◽  
pp. 2784-2794 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan G. Yipp ◽  
Paul Kubes

Abstract In this review, we examine the evidence that neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) play a critical role in innate immunity. We summarize how NETs are formed in response to various stimuli and provide evidence that NETosis is not universally a cell death pathway. Here we describe at least 2 different mechanisms by which NETs are formed, including a suicide lytic NETosis and a live cell or vital NETosis. We also evaluate the evidence for NETs in catching and killing pathogens. Finally, we examine how infections are related to the development of autoimmune and vasculitic diseases through unintended but detrimental bystander damage resulting from NET release.


2015 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariusz Gogol ◽  
Dominika Ostrowska ◽  
Kinga Klaga ◽  
Oliwia Bochenska ◽  
Natalia Wolak ◽  
...  

Candida albicans, a causative agent of opportunistic fungal infections in immunocompromised patients, uses ten secreted aspartic proteases (SAPs) to deregulate the homeostasis of the host organism on many levels. One of these deregulation mechanisms involves a SAP-dependent disturbance of the control over proteolytic enzymes of the host by a system of dedicated proteinase inhibitors, with one important example being the neutrophil elastase and alpha1-proteinase inhibitor (A1PI). In this study, we found that soluble SAPs 1-4 and the cell membrane-anchored SAP9 efficiently cleaved A1PI, with the major cleavage points located at the C-terminal part of A1PI in a close vicinity to the reactive-site loop that plays a critical role in the inhibition mechanism. Elastase is released by neutrophils to the environment during fungal infection through two major processes, a degranulation or formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NET). Both, free and NET-embedded elastase forms, were found to be controlled by A1PI. A local acidosis, resulting from the neutrophil activity at the infection sites, favors A1PI degradation by SAPs. The deregulation of NET-connected elastase affected a NET-dependent damage of epithelial and endothelial cells, resulting in the increased susceptibility of these host cells to candidal colonization. Moreover, the SAP-catalyzed cleavage of A1PI was found to decrease its binding affinity to a proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin-8. The findings presented here suggest a novel strategy used by C. albicans for the colonization of host tissues and overcoming the host defense.


Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 2139
Author(s):  
Mirco Schapher ◽  
Michael Koch ◽  
Daniela Weidner ◽  
Michael Scholz ◽  
Stefan Wirtz ◽  
...  

Salivary gland stones, or sialoliths, are the most common cause of the obstruction of salivary glands. The mechanism behind the formation of sialoliths has been elusive. Symptomatic sialolithiasis has a prevalence of 0.45% in the general population, is characterized by recurrent painful periprandial swelling of the affected gland, and often results in sialadenitis with the need for surgical intervention. Here, we show by the use of immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, computed tomography (CT) scans and reconstructions, special dye techniques, bacterial genotyping, and enzyme activity analyses that neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) initiate the formation and growth of sialoliths in humans. The deposition of neutrophil granulocyte extracellular DNA around small crystals results in the dense aggregation of the latter, and the subsequent mineralization creates alternating layers of dense mineral, which are predominantly calcium salt deposits and DNA. The further agglomeration and appositional growth of these structures promotes the development of macroscopic sialoliths that finally occlude the efferent ducts of the salivary glands, causing clinical symptoms and salivary gland dysfunction. These findings provide an entirely novel insight into the mechanism of sialolithogenesis, in which an immune system-mediated response essentially participates in the physicochemical process of concrement formation and growth.


Author(s):  
Yue Zheng ◽  
Yuanfeng Zhu ◽  
Xin Liu ◽  
Hang Zheng ◽  
Yongjun Yang ◽  
...  

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are extracellular DNA webs released from neutrophils to mediate host anti-microbial defense. As NETs could also induce thrombosis and cause organ injury, their release should be strictly controlled. However, it is not well understood about the intrinsic mechanisms that prevent unfavorable NETs. Herein, an accidental finding of NETs release from human peripheral neutrophils was firstly described in serum free culture, and it was also determined as a conserved effect for serum to prevent NETs. In contrast to canonical NETs induced by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), NETs formation by serum free culture was rapid and without prevalent NETosis. Next, albumin was screened out as a key serum component that mediated the suppression of NETs. Moreover, NETs induced upon serum or albumin deficiency were independent of the canonical pathway that involves NOX2 activation and cytosol ROS production. Instead, the generation of mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) was upregulated to promote NETs release. Albumin exhibited mtROS scavenging activity and thus inhibited NETs. Serum free culture also induces the release of NET-bound oxidized mtDNA which stimulated IFN-β production. Overall, our research provides new evidences that characterize the NETs production in serum free culture and determine the mechanisms of serum albumin to inhibit NETs.


2014 ◽  
Vol 307 (7) ◽  
pp. L586-L596 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lingtao Luo ◽  
Su Zhang ◽  
Yongzhi Wang ◽  
Milladur Rahman ◽  
Ingvar Syk ◽  
...  

Excessive neutrophil activation is a major component in septic lung injury. Neutrophil-derived DNA may form extracellular traps in response to bacterial invasions. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential role of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in septic lung injury. Male C57BL/6 mice were treated with recombinant human (rh)DNAse (5 mg/kg) after cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Extracellular DNA was stained by Sytox green, and NET formation was quantified by confocal microscopy and cell-free DNA in plasma, peritoneal cavity, and lung. Blood, peritoneal fluid, and lung tissue were harvested for analysis of neutrophil infiltration, NET levels, tissue injury, as well as CXC chemokine and cytokine formation. We observed that CLP caused increased formation of NETs in plasma, peritoneal cavity, and lung. Administration of rhDNAse not only eliminated NET formation in plasma, peritoneal cavity, and bronchoalveolar space but also reduced lung edema and tissue damage 24 h after CLP induction. Moreover, treatment with rhDNAse decreased CLP-induced formation of CXC chemokines, IL-6, and high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in plasma, as well as CXC chemokines and IL-6 in the lung. In vitro, we found that neutrophil-derived NETs had the capacity to stimulate secretion of CXCL2, TNF-α, and HMGB1 from alveolar macrophages. Taken together, our findings show that NETs regulate pulmonary infiltration of neutrophils and tissue injury via formation of proinflammatory compounds in abdominal sepsis. Thus we conclude that NETs exert a proinflammatory role in septic lung injury.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurizio Bruschi ◽  
Gabriella Moroni ◽  
Renato Alberto Sinico ◽  
Franco Franceschini ◽  
Micaela Fredi ◽  
...  

The formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) is a strategy utilized by neutrophils for capturing infective agents. Extracellular traps consist in a physical net made of DNA and intracellular proteins externalized from neutrophils, where bacteria and viruses are entrapped and killed by proteolysis. A complex series of events contributes to achieving NET formation: signaling from infectious triggers comes first, followed by decondensation of chromatin and extrusion of the nucleosome components (DNA, histones) from the nucleus and, after cell membrane breakdown, outside the cell. NETs are composed of either DNA or nucleosome proteins and hundreds of cytoplasm proteins, a part of which undergo post-translational modification during the steps leading to NETs. There is a thin balance between the production and the removal of circulating NETs from blood where digestion of DNA by circulating DNases 1 and IL3 has a critical role. A delay in NET removal may have consequences for autoimmunity. Recent studies have shown that circulating NET levels are increased in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) for a functional block of NET removal mediated by anti-DNase antibodies or, in rare cases, by DNase IL3 mutations. In SLE, the persistence in circulation of NETs signifies elevated concentrations of either free DNA/nucleosome components and oxidized proteins that, in some cases, are recognized as non-self and presented to B-cells by Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9). In this way, it is activated as an immunologic response, leading to the formation of IgG2 auto-antibody. Monitoring serum NET levels represents a potential new way to herald the development of renal lesions and has clinical implications. Modulating the balance between NET formation and removal is one of the objectives of basic research that are aimed to design new drugs for SLE.Clinical Trial Registration Number: The Zeus study was registered at https://clinicaltrials.gov (study number: NCT02403115).


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuaki Suzuki ◽  
Masahiro Tsuchiya ◽  
Shinichiro Yoshida ◽  
Kazumi Ogawa ◽  
Weijian Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Accumulation of uric acid during muscular trauma is potentially a causative factor of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) involved in the development of muscle hyperalgesia. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), DNA-based reticular structures to capture DAMPs, play a central role in the onset of pain in gout attacks associated with hyperuricemia; however, their association with muscle hyperalgesia due to overuse injuries remains unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of NETs via the elevation of local uric acid level in muscle nociception.Methods: The triceps surae muscles (TSMs) in the unilateral hindlimb of mice were repeatedly stimulated with electrical pulses to induce excessive muscle contraction, and the contralateral TSM was used as a control. In addition to mechanical nociceptive thresholds, tissue uric acid levels, neutrophil recruitment, protein amount, and histological distribution of citrullinated histone 3 (citH3), a major marker of NETs, were investigated. Furthermore, whether neutrophil depletion, extracellular DNA cleavage (deoxyribonuclease I), and administration of the urate-lowering agent febuxostat, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, improved muscle hyperalgesia due to NET accumulation was examined. Using a combination of multiphoton imaging analysis and intravital fluorescence staining, we also evaluated the intramuscular distribution of NET accumulation in stimulated TSMs.Results: CitH3 expression upon neutrophil recruitment significantly increased in the stimulated TSMs tissues with an increase in tissue uric acid levels. However, neutrophil depletion and extracellular DNA cleavage prevented the increase in uric acid levels in damaged muscle tissues. Furthermore, febuxostat administration significantly improved muscle hyperalgesia, with decreases not only in citH3 and tissue uric acid levels, but also in neutrophil recruitment. Interestingly, the intramuscular distribution of NETs in the stimulated TSM was predominantly observed in the myofascial region.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that NET accumulation caused by excessive muscle contraction was strongly associated with the pathogenesis of muscle hyperalgesia. Further, the mechanism underlying induction of locally recruited neutrophils forming NETs was increased tissue uric acid levels, which potentially plays a significant role in creating a vicious circle of muscle pain.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document