Early neutrophil activation and NETs release in the pristane-induced lupus mice model
2025

Early Neutrophil Activation in a Lupus Mouse Model

Sample size: 12 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Carrasco Solange, Liphaus Bernadete L., Peixoto Tatiana Vasconcelos, Lima Thais Martins, Ariga Sueli Kunimi Kubo, Jesus Queiroz Zelita Aparecida, de Matos Lobo Thays, Catanozi Sergio, Rodrigues Letícia Gomes, Filho Antônio Santos, Teodoro Walcy Rosolia, Velosa Ana Paula Pereira, Levy Débora, Soriano Francisco Garcia, Goldenstein-Schainberg Cláudia

Primary Institution: Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

Hypothesis

The pristane-induced lupus mice model shows early activation of neutrophils, the presence of low-density granulocytes (LDGs), and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) release, which could contribute to the development of a lupus phenotype.

Conclusion

The study demonstrated early changes in the immune response, including increased activated neutrophils and LDGs, and heightened NETosis in the lupus mouse model, suggesting these may trigger lupus development.

Supporting Evidence

  • The pristane-induced mice group had a significantly increased number of activated neutrophils and LDGs compared to the saline-injected control group.
  • NETs release was significantly higher in the pristane group compared to the control group across all evaluated sites.
  • Early changes in the innate immune response were observed as early as five days after pristane injection.

Takeaway

The researchers found that in mice with lupus, certain immune cells called neutrophils become active and release traps that can cause problems, which might help start the disease.

Methodology

Twelve female wild-type Balb/c mice were injected with pristane or saline, and samples were collected for flow cytometry analyses of activated neutrophils, LDGs, and NETs release.

Limitations

The study had a small sample size, did not evaluate neutrophil and LDG behavior over different periods, and did not distinguish LDG subsets.

Participant Demographics

Twelve female wild-type Balb/c mice, 8 to 10 weeks old.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0306943

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