Polymorphonuclear neutrophil activation by Src phosphorylation contributes to HLA-A2 antibody-induced transfusion-related acute lung injury

Abstract

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2 antibody contributes to the pathogenesis of transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) via polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) activation, but the signaling pathways involved this process remain largely undefined. In this study, we sought to study the signaling pathways involved in the pathogenesis of HLA-A2-induced TRALI. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the plasma from the HLA-A2 antibody-positive donors were utilized to establish a rat model of TRALI. Human pulmonary endothelial cells (HPMECs) were in vitro co-cultured with HLA-A2 antibody-treated PMNs and then treated with LPS to induce a cytotoxicity model. The effects of HLA-A2 antibody on HPMEC injury were evaluated in this model. Besides, dasatinib was used to block the Src phosphorylation to explore whether Src involved in the TRALI or HPMEC injury induced by HLA-A2 antibody. The HLA-A2 antibody plus LPS induced TRALI and stimulated PMN activation in rats. HLA-A2 antibody-induced TRALI could be attenuated via depletion of PMN. HLA-A2 antibody activated NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome. In addition, HLA-A2 antibody aggravated the HPMEC injuries and the release of PMN surfaces makers, but dasatinib treatment reversed this effect, indicating that HLA-A2 antibody activated PMNs and exacerbated TRALI by stimulating phosphorylation of Src followed by activation of NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome, which was validated in vivo. In summary, HLA-A2 induced PMNs by activating NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome via phosphorylated-Src elevation, thereby exacerbating TRALI. This study highlights promising target for the treatment of antibody-mediated TRALI.