Role of Neutrophils in the Pathogenesis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is a multifactorial, heterogeneous, complex autoimmune disease impacting everyday life of patients. Neutrophils are the most abundant innate immune cells found in human body and are armed with granules filled with potent antimicrobial proteins. In the state of infection/inflammation/injury, neutrophils get activated and release neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). NETs are extracellular large weblike structures made of cytosolic and granule proteins such as neutrophil elastase and myeloperoxidase assembled on a scaffold of decondensed chromatin. Formation and clearance of NETs is tightly regulated but when it gets dysregulated, it can lead to NET accumulation, exposing immune system to otherwise hidden or timely cleared antigens resulting in many immune-related inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Dysregulated NET formation and/or NET clearance have been associated with SLE. Increased neutrophils and NETs are found in affected areas of lupus and are associated with tissue inflammation and organ damage. Further, NETs have now been implicated as the source of autoantigens in SLE and NET associated markers have been shown to be elevated in SLE patients. Moreover, neutrophils are found in renal biopsy samples of SLE patients and is associated with active lupus nephritis.Low density Neutrophils (LDN) are purified from the same fraction as PBMCs shown to play an important role in SLE. In SLE, LDNs secrete type1 interferon and can lead to inflammation and tissue damage. LDNs are composed of both mature and immature neutrophils and can also make NETs contributing to autoantibody production.This research topic aims to highlight the role of neutrophils and neutrophil extracellular traps in SLE pathogenesis.The scope of the collection topic includes articles addressing the following themes:1. Levels of Neutrophils and NETs in adult and pediatric SLE patients.2. Association of NETs and lupus nephritis.3. Spontaneous NETosis in adult and pediatric SLE patients.4. Mechanisms leading to NETs dysregulation in adult and pediatric SLE patients.5. Role of NETs in the pathogenesis of SLE. Topic editors: Bharati Matta, Haruki Watanabe Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/77218/role-of-neutrophils-in-the-pathogenesis-of-systemic-lupus-erythematosus