Background and aims: During early phases of inflammation, activated neutrophils extrude neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in a PAD4-dependent manner, aggravating tissue injury and remodelling. In this study, we investigated the potential pro-fibrotic properties and signalling of NETs in Crohn's disease (CD).
Methods: NETs and activated fibroblasts were labelled on resected ileum from CD patients by multiplex immunofluorescence staining. NETs-treated human primary intestinal fibroblasts were analysed by bulk RNA-sequencing to uncover cell signalling pathways, and by high-throughput imaging to assess collagen production and migratory activity. Consequentially, TLR2/NF-kB pathway was evaluated by transfection of CCD-18Co fibroblasts with NF-kB-luciferase reporter plasmid, incorporating C29 to block TLR2 signalling. A chronic DSS mouse model was used to define the specific role of PAD4 deletion in neutrophils (MRP8-Cre, Pad4fl/fl).
Results: Immunofluorescence showed spatial co-localisation of NETs and activated fibroblasts in ileal ulcerations of CD patients. Transcriptomic analysis revealed upregulation of pro-fibrotic genes and activation of TLR-signalling pathways in NETs-treated fibroblasts. NETs treatment induced fibroblast proliferation, diminished migratory capability, and increased collagen release. Transfection experiments indicated a substantial increase in NF-kB expression with NETs, whereas C29 led to decreased expression and release of collagen. In line, a significantly reduction in collagen content was observed in the colon of MRP8-Cre, Pad4fl/fl mice subjected to chronic DSS colitis.
Conclusions: NETs potentially serve as an initial stimulus for pathological activation of fibroblasts within the intestine via the TLR2/NF-kB pathway. Given their early involvement in inflammation, inhibition of PAD4 might offer a strategy to modulate both inflammation and fibrogenesis in CD.
Keywords: Crohn’s disease; intestinal fibrosis; neutrophil extracellular traps.
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