Neutrophils seeking new neighbors: radiotherapy affects the cellular framework and the spatial organization in a murine breast cancer model.

Neutrophils are known to contribute in many aspects of tumor progression and metastasis. The presence of neutrophils or neutrophil-derived mediators in the tumor microenvironment has been associated with poor prognosis in several types of solid tumors. However, the effects of classical cancer treatments such as radiation therapy on neutrophils are poorly understood. Furthermore, the cellular composition and distribution of immune cells in the tumor is of increasing interest in cancer research and new imaging technologies allow to perform more complex spatial analyses within tumor tissues. Therefore, we aim to offer novel insight into intra-tumoral formation of cellular neighborhoods and communities in murine breast cancer. To address this question, we performed image mass cytometry on tumors of the TS/A breast cancer tumor model, performed spatial neighborhood analyses of the tumor microenvironment and quantified neutrophil-extracellular trap degradation products in serum of the mice. We show that irradiation with 2 × 8 Gy significantly alters the cellular composition and spatial organization in the tumor, especially regarding neutrophils and other cells of the myeloid lineage. Locally applied radiotherapy further affects neutrophils in a systemic manner by decreasing the serum neutrophil extracellular trap concentrations which correlates positively with survival. In addition, the intercellular cohesion is maintained due to radiotherapy as shown by E-Cadherin expression. Radiotherapy, therefore, might affect the epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity in tumors and thus prevent metastasis. Our findings underscore the growing importance of the spatial organization of the tumor microenvironment, particularly with respect to radiotherapy, and provide insight into potential mechanisms by which radiotherapy affects epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity and tumor metastasis.

Altered glycan accessibility on native immunoglobulin G complexes in early rheumatoid arthritis and its changes during therapy.

The goal of this study was to investigate the glycosylation profile of native immunoglobulin (Ig)G present in serum immune complexes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To accomplish this, lectin binding assays, detecting the accessibility of glycans present on IgG-containing immune complexes by biotinylated lectins, were employed. Lectins capturing fucosyl residues (AAL), fucosylated tri-mannose N-glycan core sites (LCA), terminal sialic acid residues (SNA) and O-glycosidically linked galactose/N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNac-L) were used. Patients with recent-onset RA at baseline and after 3-year follow-up were investigated. We found that native IgG was complexed significantly more often with IgM, C1q, C3c and C-reactive protein (CRP) in RA patients, suggesting alterations of the native structure of IgG. The total accessibility of fucose residues on captured immune complexes to the respective lectin was significantly higher in patients with RA. Moreover, fucose accessibility on IgG-containing immune complexes correlated positively with the levels of antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP). We also observed a significantly higher accessibility to sialic acid residues and galactose/GalNAc glyco-epitopes in native complexed IgG of patients with RA at baseline. While sialic acid accessibility increased during treatment, the accessibility of galactose/GalNAc decreased. Hence, successful treatment of RA was associated with an increase in the SNA/GalNAc-L ratio. Interestingly, the SNA/GalNAc-L ratio in particular rises after glucocorticoid treatment. In summary, this study shows the exposure of glycans in native complexed IgG of patients with early RA, revealing particular glycosylation patterns and its changes following pharmaceutical treatment.

Maximization of the optical intra-cavity power of whispering-gallery mode resonators via coupling prism.

In this paper, a detailed description of the optical coupling into a Whispering Gallery Mode (WGM) resonator through a prism via frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR) is presented. The problem is modeled as three media with planar interfaces and closed expressions for FTIR are given. Then, the curvature of the resonator is taken into account and the mode overlap is theoretically studied. A new analytical expression giving the optimal geometry of a disc-shaped or ring-shaped resonator for maximizing the intra-cavity circulating power is presented. Such expression takes into consideration the spatial distribution of the WGM at the surface of the resonator, thus being more accurate than the currently used expressions. It also takes into account the geometry of the prism. It is shown an improvement in the geometry values used with the current expressions of about 30%. The reason why the pump laser signal can be seen in experiments under critical coupling is explained on this basis. Then, the conditions required for exciting the highest possible optical power inside the resonator are obtained. The aim is to achieve a highly-efficient up-conversion of a THz signal into the optical domain via the second-order nonlinearity of the resonator material.

Sweet but dangerous - the role of immunoglobulin G glycosylation in autoimmunity and inflammation.

Glycosylation is well-known to modulate the functional capabilities of immunoglobulin G (IgG)-mediated cellular and humoral responses. Indeed, highly sialylated and desialylated IgG is endowed with anti- and pro-inflammatory activities, respectively, whereas fully deglycosylated IgG is a rather lame duck, with no effector function besides toxin neutralization. Recently, several studies revealed the impact of different glycosylation patterns on the Fc part and Fab fragment of IgG in several autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here, we provide a synoptic update summarizing the most important aspects of antibody glycosylation, and the current progress in this field. We also discuss the therapeutic options generated by the modification of the glycosylation of IgG in a potential treatment for chronic inflammatory diseases.

A blast without power - cell death induced by the tuberculosis-necrotizing toxin fails to elicit adequate immune responses.

In this study, we deploy a doxycycline-dependent suicide switch integrated in a tumor challenge model. With this experimental setup, we characterized the immunological consequences of cells dying by four distinct cell death stimuli in vivo. We observed that apoptotic cell death induced by expression of the truncated form of BH3 interacting-domain death agonist (tBid) and a constitutively active form of caspase 3 (revC3), respectively, showed higher immunogenicity than cell death induced by expression of the tuberculosis-necrotizing toxin (TNT). Our data indicate that the early release of ATP induces the silent clearance of dying cells, whereas the simultaneous presence of 'find me' signals and danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) promotes inflammatory reactions and increased immunogenicity. This proposed model is supported by findings showing that the production and release of high concentrations of IL-27 by bone-marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) is limited to BMDM exposed to those forms of death that simultaneously released ATP and the DAMPs heat-shock protein 90 (HSP90) and high-mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1). These results demonstrate that the tissue microenvironment generated by dying cells may determine the subsequent immune response.

Sialylation of anti-histone immunoglobulin G autoantibodies determines their capabilities to participate in the clearance of late apoptotic cells.

The Fc portion of immunoglobulin (Ig)G harbours a single glycosylation site. Glycan sialylation is critical for structure and for certain effector functions of IgG. Anti-histone IgG of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus is reportedly responsible for the recruitment of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) to the clearance of apoptotic cells. Autoantibodies decorating secondary necrotic cells (SNEC) induce proinflammatory responses after activation of blood-borne phagocytes. Analysing the sialylation status of affinity-purified anti-histone IgG in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), we demonstrated that the anti-histone IgG was contained preferentially in the non-sialylated fraction. In functional ex-vivo phagocytosis studies, non-sialylated anti-SNEC IgG directed SNEC preferentially into PMN but did not change their cytokine secretion profiles. In contrast, sialylated IgG reduced the phagocytosis by monocytes of SNEC. Moreover, the sialylated anti-SNEC IgG was not simply anti-inflammatory, but switched the cytokine secretion profiles from interleukin (IL)-6/IL-8 to tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α/IL-1ß. Here we describe how different sialylation statuses of IgG autoantibodies contribute to the complex inflammatory network that regulates chronic inflammation.

Dying autologous cells as instructors of the immune system.

In an organism, cell death occurs at many different sites and in many different forms. It is frequently part of normal development or serves to maintain cell homeostasis. In other cases, cell death not only occurs due to injury, disease or infection, but also as a consequence of various therapeutic interventions. However, in all of these scenarios, the immune system has to react to the dying and dead cells and decide whether to mount an immune response, to remain quiet or to initiate healing and repopulation. This is essential for the organism, testified by many diseases that are associated with malfunctioning in the cell death process, the corpse removal, or the ensuing immune responsiveness. Therefore, dying cells generally have to be considered as instructors of the immune system. How this happens and which signals and pathways contribute to modulate or shape the immune response is still elusive in many conditions. The articles presented in this Special Issue address such open questions. They highlight that the context in which cell death occurs will not only influence the cell death process itself, but also affect the surrounding cellular milieu, how the generation and presence of 'eat me' signals can have an impact on cell clearance, and that the exact nature of the residual 'debris' and how it is processed are fundamental to determining the immunological consequences. Hopefully, these articles initiate new approaches and new experiments to complete our understanding of how cell death and the immune system interact with each other.

Altered glycosylation of complexed native IgG molecules is associated with disease activity of systemic lupus erythematosus.

In addition to the redundancy of the receptors for the Fc portion of immunoglobulins, glycans result in potential ligands for a plethora of lectin receptors found in immune effector cells. Here we analysed the exposure of glycans containing fucosyl residues and the fucosylated tri-mannose N-type core by complexed native IgG in longitudinal serum samples of well-characterized patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Consecutive serum samples of a cohort of 15 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus during periods of increased disease activity and remission were analysed. All patients fulfilled the 1982 American College of Rheumatology classification criteria. Sera of 15 sex- and age-matched normal healthy blood donors served as controls. The levels and type of glycosylation of complexed random IgG was measured with lectin enzyme-immunosorbent assays. After specifically gathering IgG complexes from sera, biotinylated lectins Aleuria aurantia lectin and Lens culinaris agglutinin were employed to detect IgG-associated fucosyl residues and the fucosylated tri-mannose N-glycan core, respectively. In sandwich-ELISAs, IgG-associated IgM, IgA, C1q, C3c and C-reactive protein (CRP) were detected as candidates for IgG immune complex constituents. We studied associations of the glycan of complexed IgG and disease activity according to the physician's global assessment of disease activity and the systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index 2000 documented at the moment of blood taking. Our results showed significantly higher levels of Aleuria aurantia lectin and Lens culinaris agglutinin binding sites exposed on IgG complexes of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus than on those of normal healthy blood donors. Disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus correlated with higher exposure of Aleuria aurantia lectin-reactive fucosyl residues by immobilized IgG complexes. Top levels of Aleuria aurantia lectin-reactivity were found in samples taken during the highest activity of systemic lupus erythematosus. Our results show that native circulating IgG complexes from active systemic lupus erythematosus patients expose fucosyl residues and their glycan core is accessible to soluble lectins. Two putative mechanisms may contribute to the increased exposure of these glycans: (1) the canonical N-glycosylation site of the IgG-CH2 domain; (2) an IgG binding non-IgG molecule, like complement or C-reactive protein. In both cases the complexed IgG may be alternatively targeted to lectin receptors of effector cells, e.g. dendritic cells.

Loading of nuclear autoantigens prototypically recognized by systemic lupus erythematosus sera into late apoptotic vesicles requires intact microtubules and myosin light chain kinase activity.

Most cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are characterized by an impaired clearance of apoptotic cells in various tissues. Non-cleared apoptotic waste is considered an immunogen driving the autoimmune response in patients with SLE. During the execution of apoptosis, membrane blebs are formed and filled with cellular components. Here, we evaluate the cytoskeletal pathway(s) responsible for the loading of SLE prototypic nuclear autoantigens into the apoptotic cell-derived membranous vesicles (ACMV) generated during late phases of apoptosis. HeLa cells expressing a fusion protein of histone H2B with green fluorescent protein (GFP) were irradiated with ultraviolet (UV)-B to induce apoptosis. The appearance and trafficking of chromatin-derived material was monitored by fluorescence microscopy. Specific inhibitors of cytoskeletal pathways were employed to identify the motile elements involved in translocation and trafficking of the nuclear components. We observed that immediately after their appearance the ACMV did not contain histone H2B(GFP) ; in this phase the fluorescence was contained in the nuclear remnants and the cytoplasm. Within consecutive minutes the ACMV were loaded with chromatin-derived material, whereas the loading of simultaneously created ACMV with histone H2B(GFP) was not uniform. Some ACMV were preferentially filled and, consequently, showed a remarkably higher histone H2B(GFP) accumulation. Inhibitors of the cytoskeleton revealed that functional microtubules and myosin light chain kinase are required for nuclear shrinkage and loading of nuclear material into the ACMV, respectively.

Unconventional apoptosis of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN): staurosporine delays exposure of phosphatidylserine and prevents phagocytosis by MΦ-2 macrophages of PMN.

Apoptosis of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and subsequent 'silent' removal represents an important check-point for the resolution of inflammation. Failure in PMN clearance resulting in secondary necrosis-driven tissue damage has been implicated in conditions of chronic inflammation and autoimmunity. Apoptotic PMN undergo profound biophysical changes that warrant their efficient recognition and uptake by phagocytes before fading to secondary necrosis. In this study, we demonstrate that staurosporine (STS), a non-selective but potent inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase and protein kinase C, exerts a drastic impact on PMN apoptosis. PMN treated with STS underwent an unconventional form of cell death characterized by a delayed exposure of aminophospholipids, including phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylethanolamine and an increased exposure of neo-glycans. STS caused an impaired cellular fragmentation and accelerated DNA fragmentation. Phagocytosis of STS-treated PMN lacking PS on their surfaces was decreased significantly, which highlights the importance of PS for the clearance of apoptotic PMN. Specific opsonization with immune complexes completely restored phagocytosis of STS-treated PMN, demonstrating the efficiency of back-up clearance pathways in the absence of PS exposure.

Milk fat globule-EGF factor 8 mediates the enhancement of apoptotic cell clearance by glucocorticoids.

The phagocytic clearance of apoptotic cells is essential to prevent chronic inflammation and autoimmunity. The phosphatidylserine-binding protein milk fat globule-EGF factor 8 (MFG-E8) is a major opsonin for apoptotic cells, and MFG-E8(-/-) mice spontaneously develop a lupus-like disease. Similar to human systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the murine disease is associated with an impaired clearance of apoptotic cells. SLE is routinely treated with glucocorticoids (GCs), whose anti-inflammatory effects are consentaneously attributed to the transrepression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Here, we show that the GC-mediated transactivation of MFG-E8 expression and the concomitantly enhanced elimination of apoptotic cells constitute a novel aspect in this context. Patients with chronic inflammation receiving high-dose prednisone therapy displayed substantially increased MFG-E8 mRNA levels in circulating monocytes. MFG-E8 induction was dependent on the GC receptor and several GC response elements within the MFG-E8 promoter. Most intriguingly, the inhibition of MFG-E8 induction by RNA interference or genetic knockout strongly reduced or completely abolished the phagocytosis-enhancing effect of GCs in vitro and in vivo. Thus, MFG-E8-dependent promotion of apoptotic cell clearance is a novel anti-inflammatory facet of GC treatment and renders MFG-E8 a prospective target for future therapeutic interventions in SLE.

Concrete enclosure for shielding a neutron source.

In the aim to design a shielding for a 0.185 TBq (239)PuBe isotopic neutron source several Monte Carlo calculations were carried out using MCNP5 code. First, a point-like source was modeled in vacuum and the neutron spectrum and ambient dose equivalent were calculated at several distances ranging from 5 cm up to 150 cm, these calculations were repeated modeling a real source, including air, and a 1×1×1 m(3) enclosure with 5, 15, 20, 25, 30, 50 and 80 cm-thick Portland type concrete walls. At all the points located inside the enclosure neutron spectra from 10(-8) up to 0.5 MeV were the same regardless the distance from the source showing the room-return effect in the enclosure, for energies larger than 0.5 MeV neutron spectra are diminished as the distance increases. Outside the enclosure it was noticed that neutron spectra becomes "softer" as the concrete thickness increases due to reduction of mean neutron energy. With the ambient dose values the attenuation curve in terms of concrete thickness was calculated.

Autoantibodies against galectin-2 peptides as biomarkers for the antiphospholipid syndrome.

Autoantibodies against opsonins of dying and dead cells mediate Fcγ receptor-dependent phagocytosis of autologous apoptotic and necrotic cells and hereby tend to elicit inflammation instead of silent clearance. We analysed sera of patients with chronic autoimmune diseases for the occurrence of IgG autoantibodies recognizing galectins. These pluripotent effectors can also bind to apoptotic or necrotic cells. Patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS; n = 104) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE; n = 62) were examined, healthy donors (n = 31) served as controls. Selected peptides of galectin (Gal)-2 were employed for peptide-based ELISAs. Levels of anti-Gal-2(PEP)-IgG were significantly increased in SLE and APS when compared with controls. In addition, patients with APS showed significantly higher levels of anti-Gal-2(PEP)-IgG compared with patients with SLE. Anti-Gal-2(PEP)-IgG may, therefore, be considered novel biomarkers for APS.

Introducción de los nuevos tamaños pediátricos de la mascarilla laríngea I-gel en la práctica clínica. Un estudio observacional prospectivo / Introduction of the new paediatric sizes of I-gel laryngeal mask airway

Antecedentes: La mascarilla I-gel es un dispositivo supraglótico relativamente nuevo que se utiliza en pacientes adultos con una seguridad y eficacias probadas. Hasta la fecha, este dispositivo sólo estaba disponible en tamaños de 3 a 5, por lo que su funcionamiento sólo había sido evaluado en pacientes de más de 30 kg. Recientemente se han introducido en el mercado los tamaños pediátricos del mismo para pacientes de menor peso. En este artículo presentamos nuestros primeros datos en el uso de este dispositivo en estos nuevos tamaños. Métodos: Setenta pacientes pediátricos consecutivos sometidos a procedimientos quirúrgicos fueron anestesiados y ventilados utilizando la mascarilla laríngea I-gel sin utilizar ningún agente paralizante. Se midieron la facilidad de inserción y el número de intentos necesarios para lograr una ventilación adecuada. La presión de fuga durante la ventilación mecánica, así como la presión pico y presión media de la vía aérea fueron registradas. También se buscó la aparición de complicaciones derivadas de la utilización del dispositivo de vía aérea. Resultados: La mascarilla laríngea I-gel fue colocada con éxito, consiguiendo una ventilación mecánica adecuada en todos los casos. Su inserción fue muy fácil en el 92,4% de los pacientes. La presión media de fuga fue 28,9 cm de H2O. Se lograron volúmenes corrientes adecuados con una presión media de la vía aérea durante la ventilación mecánica de 9 cm de H2O.Conclusión: En vista de los resultados favorables, la mascarilla laríngea I-gel en sus nuevos tamaños pediátricos parece ser un dispositivo seguro y eficaz para el manejo de la vía aérea pediátrica durante procedimientos quirúrgicos cortos (AU)

Background and Objectives: The I-gel is a relatively new supraglottic airway device that has been used in adult patients with proven safety and eficacy. Until now this device was only available in sizes 3 to 5, and had only been evaluated in patiets over 30 kg. We present the first publised data on the new paediatric sizes of this device. Patients and Methods: Seventy consecutive paediatric patients undergoing general surgical procedures were anaesthetized and I-gel laryngeal mask airway introduced without the use of a paralyzing agent. Ease of insertion and number of attempts needed to achieve adequate ventilation were recorded. Leak pressure during mechanical ventilation, as well as mean and peak airway pressure were also recorded. We also looked for any complications derived from the use of the airway device. Results: The I-gel laryngeal mask airway was successfully placed and used for mechanical ventilation in all cases. Insertion was found to be very easy in 92,4% of the patients. Leak pressure was 28,9 cm H2O. Adequate tidal volumes were achieved, with mean airway pressure during mechanical ventilation of 9 cm H2O.Conclusions: In view of the favourable results, the paediatric sizes of the I-gel laryngeal mask airway seem to be a safe and effective device for paediatric airway management during short surgical procedures (AU)

Long-term complications and survival of patients after orthotopic liver transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: The survival rates among patients after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) has increased to 83% and 75% at 1 and 5 years, respectively. However, these patients are at increased risk of long-term complications. OBJECTIVE: To identify long-term complications and survivals among patients after OLT. METHODS: From September 1999 to July 2009 we evaluated long-term complications among 78 consecutive patients after OLT including 46 males. RESULTS: Complications de novo after OLT were metabolic (n = 38; 67%), infections (n = 13; 23%), recurrent liver disease (n = 12; 21%), osteopenia/osteoporosis (n = 10; 18%), acute/chronic rejection (n = 8; 14%), renal failure (n = 2; 4%) and Kaposi's sarcoma (n = 1). Their overall survival at 118 months was 55%. CONCLUSIONS: The most common long-term complications after OLT were metabolic, infections, and disease recurrence.

[The role of incomplete clearance of apoptotic cells in the etiology and pathogenesis of SLE]. / Die Bedeutung einer unvollständigen Beseitigung apoptotischer Zellen für Atiologie und Pathogenese des SLE.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex prototypic autoimmune disease that is based on genetic factors (complement deficiencies) and is influenced by gender (female), environment (infections and UV irradiation), as well as random events (somatic mutations). The course of the disease is influenced by genes (e.g. FcgammaRIIA) and behaviour (sun-exposure). Inefficient clearance of dying cells and subsequent accumulation of apoptotic cell remnants is an intrinsic defect causing the permanent presence of cellular debris responsible for the initiation of autoimmunity. We favour the hypothesis that post-apoptotic debris accumulates in germinal centres, activates complement, and serves as a survival signal for B-cells that had stochastically become autoreactive in the process of somatic hypermutation (etiology). In the presence of autoantibodies against apoptotic cells or adaptor molecules the accumulation of post-apoptotic remnants (SNEC) causes immune complex formation and their pathological elimination, maintaining auto-inflammation. The SLE-type autoimmunity addresses nucleic acid-containing complex antigens (viromimetica). Autoantibody-protein-nucleic-acid complexes are likely to be mistaken for opsonised viruses. As a consequence, the immune system responds with the production of type-I interferons, a hallmark of SLE (pathogenesis). We conclude that the pathogenicity of autoantibodies is strongly increased if autoantigens are accessible and immune complexes are formed, which may be considered a binary pyrogen formed from less pro-inflammatory components. The accessibility of cognate autoantigens is likely to be related to impaired or delayed clearance of apoptotic cells.

Photopheresis with UV-A light and 8-methoxypsoralen leads to cell death and to release of blebs with anti-inflammatory phenotype in activated and non-activated lymphocytes.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal photopheresis is a therapy for treatment of autoimmune diseases, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, organ graft rejection as well as graft-versus-host diseases. The exact mechanism how the combination of 8-methoxypsoralen plus UV-A irradiation (PUVA) acts is still unclear. We investigated the cell death of activated and non-activated lymphocytes after PUVA treatment as well as the rate of released blebs and their antigen composition. RESULTS: In presence of 8-MOP, UV-A light highly significantly increased the cell death of activated lymphocytes. The same was observed to a lesser extent in non-activated cells. Blebs derived from activated lymphocytes after PUVA treatment showed the highest surface exposition of phosphatidylserine. These blebs also displayed a high exposure of the antigens CD5 and CD8 as well as a low exposure of CD28 and CD86. CONCLUSION: PUVA treatment exerts anti-inflammatory effects by inducing apoptosis and apoptotic cell-derived blebs with immune suppressive surface composition.

Clearance deficiency--a potential link between infections and autoimmunity.

Cell death plays a pivotal role in development and homeostasis of multicellular organisms. Apoptosis represents the physiological and anti-inflammatory form of cell death. Advanced apoptosis and necrosis are rather pro-inflammatory. Several "find-me"- and "eat-me"-signals support the "swift and silent" removal of dying cells. If the highly controlled process of dying cell removal fails, they may progress to secondary necrosis and provoke autoimmunity. There are several reports describing clearance deficiency as a possible mechanism in the etiopathogenesis of SLE. Under certain conditions, increased phagocytosis of nuclear material may be found in a subgroup of patients with SLE. Complement proteins and autoantibodies may modify engulfment of apoptotic remnants and shift the clearance process towards inflammation. Taken together, clearance deficiency leads to the accumulation of apoptotic remnants and breaking of tolerance to self. Besides, enhanced uptake of nuclear immune complexes may maintain chronic autoimmunity in patients with SLE.

Inflammatory clearance of apoptotic remnants in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Deficiencies in the recognition and phagocytosis of dead and dying cells have been shown to be one of the main alterations in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Cellular as well as humoral elements play an important role in the clearance of apoptotic and necrotic cells. Non-ingested nuclear material may provide survival signals for autoreactive B-cells and consequently antibodies directed against nuclear structures will be produced. In healthy individuals, nuclear fragments are not phagocytosed in whole blood. Instead, they are mainly degraded by the action of plasma DNases and complement factors. In contrast, the uptake of nuclear fragments by blood-borne phagocytes is increased in most patients with SLE. The phagocytosis of this kind of prey, which might be opsonised by autoantibodies, may contribute to the maintenance of inflammatory responses in SLE.

Apoptosis in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototype inflammatory autoimmune disease resulting from autoimmune responses against nuclear autoantigens. During apoptosis many lupus autoantigens congregate inside the cells and are susceptible to modifications. Modified nuclear constituents are considered foreign and dangerous. Therefore, apoptotic cells have to has to be efficiently removed to avoid the accumulation of apoptotic debris and the subsequently development of autoimmune responses. Hence, apoptosis and clearance of apoptotic cells/material are considered key processes in the aetiology of SLE. Clearance deficiencies may account for the development of autoimmunity by inducing a loss of tolerance in lymphoid tissues. Furthermore, phagocytosis of apoptotic cells may lead to a pro-inflammatory response in the presence of autoantibodies. This may sustain inflammatory conditions and the pathology found in overt lupus.