G-CSF and GM-CSF Modify Neutrophil Functions at Concentrations found in Cystic Fibrosis

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 9; no. 1; pp. 12937 - 11
• Main Authors: Castellani, Stefano, D’Oria, Susanna, Diana, Anna, Polizzi, Angela Maria, Di Gioia, Sante, Mariggiò, Maria Addolorata, Guerra, Lorenzo, Favia, Maria, Vinella, Angela, Leonetti, Giuseppina, De Venuto, Domenica, Gallo, Crescenzio, Montemurro, Pasqualina, Conese, Massimo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 10.09.2019; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 13/21; 13/31; 692/420/2780/262; 692/699/1785/4039; 82/1; Adult; Cell activation; Chemotaxis; Chemotaxis - drug effects; Colony-stimulating factor; Cystic fibrosis; Cystic Fibrosis - drug therapy; Cystic Fibrosis - immunology; Cystic Fibrosis - metabolism; Cystic Fibrosis - pathology; Cytokines; Degranulation; Elastase; Female; Formyl peptides; Gelatinase B; Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor - pharmacology; Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor - pharmacology; Granulocytes; Granulocytes - drug effects; Granulocytes - immunology; Humanities and Social Sciences; Humans; Lactoferrin; Leukocytes (granulocytic); Leukocytes (neutrophilic); Macrophages; Macrophages - drug effects; Macrophages - immunology; Male; multidisciplinary; Neutrophils; Neutrophils - drug effects; Neutrophils - immunology; Reactive oxygen species; Respiratory tract; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Sputum
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49419-z

The role of colony stimulating factors (CSFs) in cystic fibrosis (CF) circulating neutrophils has not been thoroughly evaluated, considering that the neutrophil burden of lung inflammation in these subjects is very high. The aim of this study was to assess granulocyte-CSF (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage-CSF (GM-CSF) levels in CF patients in various clinical conditions and how these cytokines impact on activation and priming of neutrophils. G-CSF and GM-CSF levels were measured in sputum and serum samples of stable CF patients (n = 21) and in CF patients with acute exacerbation before and after a course of antibiotic therapy (n = 19). CSFs were tested on non CF neutrophils to investigate their effects on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, degranulation (CD66b, elastase, lactoferrin, MMP-9), and chemotaxis. At very low concentrations found in CF patients (0.005–0.1 ng/ml), both cytokines inhibited ROS production, while higher concentrations (1–5 ng/ml) exerted a stimulatory effect. While either CSF induced elastase and MMP-9 secretion, lactoferrin levels were increased only by G-CSF. Chemotaxis was inhibited by GM-CSF, but was increased by G-CSF. However, when present together at low concentrations, CSFs increased basal and fMLP-stimulated ROS production and chemotaxis. These results suggest the CSF levels that circulating neutrophils face before extravasating into the lungs of CF patients may enhance their function contributing to the airway damage.