Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies stimulate release of neutrophil microparticles

J Am Soc Nephrol. 2012 Jan;23(1):49-62. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2011030298. Epub 2011 Nov 3.

Abstract

The mechanisms by which anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) may contribute to the pathogenesis of ANCA-associated vasculitis are not well understood. In this study, both polyclonal ANCAs isolated from patients and chimeric proteinase 3-ANCA induced the release of neutrophil microparticles from primed neutrophils. These microparticles expressed a variety of markers, including the ANCA autoantigens proteinase 3 and myeloperoxidase. They bound endothelial cells via a CD18-mediated mechanism and induced an increase in endothelial intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression, production of endothelial reactive oxygen species, and release of endothelial IL-6 and IL-8. Removal of the neutrophil microparticles by filtration or inhibition of reactive oxygen species production with antioxidants abolished microparticle-mediated endothelial activation. In addition, these microparticles promoted the generation of thrombin. In vivo, we detected more neutrophil microparticles in the plasma of children with ANCA-associated vasculitis compared with that in healthy controls or those with inactive vasculitis. Taken together, these results support a role for neutrophil microparticles in the pathogenesis of ANCA-associated vasculitis, potentially providing a target for future therapeutics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Animals
  • Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis / blood
  • Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis / immunology*
  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / physiology*
  • Autoantigens / blood*
  • CD18 Antigens / metabolism
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cell-Derived Microparticles / metabolism*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Endothelial Cells / immunology
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Endothelium, Vascular / immunology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-8 / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Myeloblastin / immunology
  • Neutrophil Activation*
  • Peroxidase / immunology
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Thrombin / metabolism

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
  • Autoantigens
  • CD18 Antigens
  • CXCL8 protein, human
  • IL6 protein, human
  • Interleukin-6
  • Interleukin-8
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
  • Peroxidase
  • Thrombin
  • Myeloblastin