ABSTRACT
Activation of the innate immune system via pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) is key to generate lasting adaptive immunity. PRRs detect unique chemical patterns associated with invading microorganisms, but whether and how the physical properties of PRR ligands influence the development of the immune response remains unknown. Through the study of fungal mannans, we show that the physical form of PRR ligands dictates the immune response. Soluble mannans are immunosilent in the periphery but elicit a potent pro-inflammatory response in the draining lymph node (dLN). By modulating the physical form of mannans, we developed a formulation that targets both the periphery and the dLN. When combined with viral glycoprotein antigens, this mannan formulation broadens epitope recognition, elicits potent antigen-specific neutralizing antibodies, and confers protection against viral infections of the lung. Thus, the physical properties of microbial ligands determine the outcome of the immune response and can be harnessed for vaccine development.
Subject(s)
Adjuvants, Immunologic/pharmacology , Antigens, Viral/immunology , Candida albicans/chemistry , Mannans/immunology , Aluminum Hydroxide/chemistry , Animals , Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology , Antibody Specificity/immunology , B-Lymphocytes/immunology , COVID-19/immunology , COVID-19/prevention & control , COVID-19/virology , Chlorocebus aethiops , Epitopes/immunology , Immunity, Innate , Immunization , Inflammation/pathology , Interferons/metabolism , Lectins, C-Type/metabolism , Ligands , Lung/immunology , Lung/pathology , Lung/virology , Lymph Nodes/immunology , Lymph Nodes/metabolism , Macrophages/metabolism , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Paranasal Sinuses/metabolism , Protein Subunits/metabolism , Sialic Acid Binding Ig-like Lectin 1/metabolism , Solubility , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/metabolism , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Transcription Factor RelB/metabolism , Vero Cells , beta-Glucans/metabolismABSTRACT
Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) driven by viruses or bacteria, as well as in numerous immune-mediated disorders. Histone citrullination by the enzyme peptidylarginine deiminase 4 (PAD4) and the consequent decondensation of chromatin are hallmarks in the induction of NETs. Nevertheless, additional histone modifications that may govern NETosis are largely overlooked. Herein, we show that histone deacetylases (HDACs) play critical roles in driving NET formation in human and mouse neutrophils. HDACs belonging to the zinc-dependent lysine deacetylases family are necessary to deacetylate histone H3, thus allowing the activity of PAD4 and NETosis. Of note, HDAC inhibition in mice protects against microbial-induced pneumonia and septic shock, decreasing NETosis and inflammation. Collectively, our findings illustrate a new fundamental step that governs the release of NETs and points to HDAC inhibitors as therapeutic agents that may be used to protect against ARDS and sepsis.