Immunoregulatory function of peripheral blood CD71+ erythroid cells in pediatric inflammatory diseases

ABSTRACT: Human CD71+ erythroid cells (CECs) have been recognized to have an immunoregulatory function via direct cell-cell interaction and soluble mediators such as arginase-2 and reactive oxygen species. Circulating CECs increase in healthy newborns or patients with hemolytic, malignant and cardiopulmonary disorders. To assess the pathophysiological role of CECs in inflammatory diseases, we studied the gene expression and function focusing on systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SoJIA). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from patients with SoJIA expressed upregulated erythropoiesis-related genes, that determined the largest increase of circulating CECs during active phase SoJIA of all inflammatory diseases including polyarthritis, Kawasaki disease, bacteremia and systemic lupus erythematosus. Despite the opposite roles of erythropoietin and hepcidin in erythropoiesis, both serum levels positively correlated with the amounts of peripheral blood CECs in SoJIA patients. There were positive correlations between CECs and inflammatory markers of C-reactive protein, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-18, or soluble TNF receptor. Co-culture with active SoJIA-driven CECs significantly suppressed the secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 from healthy donor monocytes. The top of upregulated genes in SoJIA-driven CECs was ARG2 compared with those in CECs from cord blood controls. On the other hand, cytokine productions from monocytes were suppressed by co-culture even with an arginase inhibitor. CECs are mobilized to periphery in SoJIA for the control of excessive inflammation via the immuno-regulatory pathways partly involving arginase-2. Understanding the association between CECs and magnitude of systemic inflammation may clarify the unappreciated role of erythroid precursors in health and disease process of immune dysregulation.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE164120 | GEO | 2021/07/20

REPOSITORIES: GEO