Milk fat globule-epidermal growth factor-factor 8 attenuates neutrophil infiltration in acute lung injury via modulation of CXCR2

J Immunol. 2012 Jul 1;189(1):393-402. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1200262. Epub 2012 May 25.

Abstract

Excessive neutrophil infiltration to the lungs is a hallmark of acute lung injury (ALI). Milk fat globule epidermal growth factor-factor 8 (MFG-E8) was originally identified for phagocytosis of apoptotic cells. Subsequent studies revealed its diverse cellular functions. However, whether MFG-E8 can regulate neutrophil function to alleviate inflammation is unknown. We therefore aimed to reveal MFG-E8 roles in regulating lung neutrophil infiltration during ALI. To induce ALI, C57BL/6J wild-type (WT) and Mfge8(-/-) mice were intratracheally injected with LPS (5 mg/kg). Lung tissue damage was assessed by histology, and the neutrophils were counted by a hemacytometer. Apoptotic cells in lungs were determined by TUNEL, whereas caspase-3 and myeloperoxidase activities were assessed spectrophotometrically. CXCR2 and G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 expressions in neutrophils were measured by flow cytometry. Following LPS challenge, Mfge8(-/-) mice exhibited extensive lung damage due to exaggerated infiltration of neutrophils and production of TNF-α, MIP-2, and myeloperoxidase. An increased number of apoptotic cells was trapped into the lungs of Mfge8(-/-) mice compared with WT mice, which may be due to insufficient phagocytosis of apoptotic cells or increased occurrence of apoptosis through the activation of caspase-3. In vitro studies using MIP-2-mediated chemotaxis revealed higher migration of neutrophils of Mfge8(-/-) mice than those of WT mice via increased surface exposures to CXCR2. Administration of recombinant murine MFG-E8 reduces neutrophil migration through upregulation of GRK2 and downregulation of surface CXCR2 expression. Conversely, these effects could be blocked by anti-α(v) integrin Abs. These studies clearly indicate the importance of MFG-E8 in ameliorating neutrophil infiltration and suggest MFG-E8 as a novel therapeutic potential for ALI.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Acute Lung Injury / immunology*
  • Acute Lung Injury / pathology
  • Acute Lung Injury / therapy*
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Surface / genetics
  • Antigens, Surface / physiology*
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / deficiency
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / genetics
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / physiology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Down-Regulation / immunology*
  • Glycolipids / deficiency
  • Glycolipids / genetics
  • Glycolipids / physiology*
  • Glycoproteins / deficiency
  • Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Glycoproteins / physiology*
  • Inflammation Mediators / physiology
  • Lipid Droplets
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Milk Proteins / genetics
  • Neutrophil Infiltration / genetics
  • Neutrophil Infiltration / immunology*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-8B / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-8B / biosynthesis*
  • Recombinant Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antigens, Surface
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • Glycolipids
  • Glycoproteins
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Mfge8 protein, mouse
  • Milk Proteins
  • Receptors, Interleukin-8B
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • milk fat globule