Mineral particles stimulate innate immunity through neutrophil extracellular traps containing HMGB1

Sci Rep. 2017 Nov 30;7(1):16628. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-16778-4.

Abstract

Calcium phosphate-based mineralo-organic particles form spontaneously in the body and may represent precursors of ectopic calcification. We have shown earlier that these particles induce activation of caspase-1 and secretion of IL-1β by macrophages. However, whether the particles may produce other effects on immune cells is unclear. Here, we show that these particles induce the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in a size-dependent manner by human neutrophils. Intracellular production of reactive oxygen species is required for particle-induced NET release by neutrophils. NETs contain the high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1), a DNA-binding protein capable of inducing secretion of TNF-α by a monocyte/macrophage cell line and primary macrophages. HMGB1 functions as a ligand of Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 on macrophages, leading to activation of the MyD88 pathway and TNF-α production. Furthermore, HMGB1 is critical to activate the particle-induced pro-inflammatory cascade in the peritoneum of mice. These results indicate that mineral particles promote pro-inflammatory responses by engaging neutrophils and macrophages via signaling of danger signals through NETs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Extracellular Traps / immunology*
  • Female
  • HMGB1 Protein / genetics
  • HMGB1 Protein / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate*
  • Immunomodulation*
  • Macrophage Activation
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Minerals / immunology*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 / metabolism
  • Neutrophils / immunology*
  • Neutrophils / metabolism*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Signal Transduction
  • Toll-Like Receptor 2 / metabolism
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / metabolism
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / biosynthesis

Substances

  • HMGB1 Protein
  • Minerals
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Toll-Like Receptor 2
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha