Increased Granulopoiesis, Kidney Neutrophil Infiltration, and Renal Damage in a Mouse Model of Psoriasis
Abstract Body: Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease marked by T cell-mediated hyperproliferation of epidermal keratinocytes. Most psoriasis-related morbidity and mortality stems from an elevated risk of renal and cardiovascular disease, but mechanisms remain unclear. Although neutrophils are not directly targeted with current psoriasis therapies, neutrophils are increased in the skin and circulation of these patients. We hypothesized that excess skin inflammation in psoriasis drives increased G-CSF-dependent granulopoiesis leading to renal neutrophil infiltration and dysfunction. Employing a KC-Tie2 mouse model of psoriasis with keratinocyte-specific overexpression of the angiopoietin receptor Tie2 (KC-Tie2), we observed 2-3-fold elevations in multiple indices of renal damage including urine albumin, urine NGAL, and glomerulosclerosis in KC-Tie2 mice compared to littermate controls (all P<0.05). KC-Tie2 mice also demonstrated 13 mm Hg higher daytime systolic blood pressure compared to littermate controls (P<0.05). Using flow cytometry, we found that KC-Tie2 mice had an increase not only in cutaneous neutrophils but also an approximate 10-fold increase in renal neutrophils (P<0.001). KC-Tie2 kidneys also exhibited increased vital and suicidal neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation, representing a potential mechanism for the observed renal damage. Interestingly, the increase in renal neutrophils was selective relative to other major immune cell populations such as dendritic cells, lymphocytes, monocytes, and macrophages. Similar selective increases in neutrophils were noted in the circulation, aorta, and spleen. We thus examined neutrophil production in the bone marrow, and observed significant increases in immature Ly6glow and Ly6gintermediate neutrophils (P<0.0001) as well as total Ly6g+ neutrophils (P<0.05), with no change in mature Ly6ghigh neutrophils in the bone marrow of KC-Tie2 mice. These findings are consistent with increased granulopoiesis, prompting an examination of the key mediator of granulopoiesis, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). KC-Tie2 mice exhibited marked increases in G-CSF in both the skin and plasma (P<.001 for both). In conclusion, our findings demonstrate increased renal damage in a mouse model of psoriasis, concomitant with increases in granulopoiesis and total and NETotic renal neutrophils, potentially unveiling a novel link between skin inflammation and renal damage via enhanced G-CSF-mediated granulopoiesis.
Chen, Ziche
( Vanderbilt University Medical Center
, Murfreesboro
, Tennessee
, United States Minor Outlying Islands
)
Alexander, Matthew
( Vanderbilt University Medical Center
, Murfreesboro
, Tennessee
, United States Minor Outlying Islands
)
Tessmer, Garrett
( Vanderbilt University Medical Center
, Murfreesboro
, Tennessee
, United States Minor Outlying Islands
)
Nguyen, Bianca
( Vanderbilt University
, Nashville
, Tennessee
, United States
)
Meyer, Jason
( Vanderbilt University Medical Center
, Murfreesboro
, Tennessee
, United States Minor Outlying Islands
)
Saleem, Mohammad
( Vanderbilt University Medical Center
, Murfreesboro
, Tennessee
, United States Minor Outlying Islands
)
Ahmad, Taseer
( Vanderbilt University Medical Center
, Murfreesboro
, Tennessee
, United States Minor Outlying Islands
)
Yang, Tzushan Sharon
( Vanderbilt University Medical Center
, Murfreesboro
, Tennessee
, United States Minor Outlying Islands
)
Kirabo, Annet
( Vanderbilt University Medical Center
, Murfreesboro
, Tennessee
, United States Minor Outlying Islands
)
Ward, Nicole
( Vanderbilt University Medical Center
, Murfreesboro
, Tennessee
, United States Minor Outlying Islands
)
Author Disclosures:
Ziche Chen:No Answer
| Matthew Alexander:DO have relevant financial relationships
;
Consultant:Idorsia:Active (exists now)
| Garrett Tessmer:DO NOT have relevant financial relationships
| Bianca Nguyen:No Answer
| Jason Meyer:No Answer
| Mohammad Saleem:DO NOT have relevant financial relationships
| Taseer Ahmad:DO NOT have relevant financial relationships
| Tzushan Sharon Yang:No Answer
| Annet Kirabo:No Answer
| Nicole Ward:No Answer