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Updated: May 26, 2026

Intravital Imaging of Neutrophil Priming Using IL-1β Promoter-driven DsRed Reporter Mice
Published on: June 22, 2016
Neutrophils in multiple sclerosis are characterized by a primed phenotype
Matthias Naegele1, Kati Tillack, Stefanie Reinhardt
1Institute for Neuroimmunology and Clinical MS Research (inims), Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg (ZMNH), University Medical Center-Eppendorf, Falkenried 94, 20251 Hamburg (UKE), Germany.
Neutrophils in multiple sclerosis patients are more numerous and primed, showing reduced apoptosis and enhanced activation markers. This inappropriate priming may increase infection risks due to the chronic inflammatory environment.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Neutrophils possess potent proteases, necessitating controlled activation to prevent tissue damage.
- Neutrophil activation involves a priming step followed by full activation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the state of neutrophils in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.
- To determine if neutrophils in MS patients exhibit an altered, primed phenotype.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of neutrophil numbers and expression of key surface receptors (TLR-2, fMLP, IL-8 receptors, CD43).
- Assessment of neutrophil apoptosis, degranulation, oxidative burst, and neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) levels in serum.
Main Results:
- Neutrophils were more numerous in MS patients.
- MS neutrophils displayed a primed state, characterized by reduced apoptosis, increased receptor expression, enhanced degranulation, and heightened oxidative burst.
- Elevated levels of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) were observed in the serum of MS patients.
Conclusions:
- The chronic inflammatory milieu in multiple sclerosis likely leads to inappropriate neutrophil priming.
- This primed state may predispose neutrophils to exaggerated activation, particularly during infections.
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