Blocking the ADAM9/ITGAV Pathway Ameliorates Sepsis-Induced Acute Lung Injury by Promoting Macrophage Efferocytosis

Long-Zhu Li1, Wan-Jie Gu1, Xiang-Kun Yuan1

  • 1Department of Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.

Insights

Inhibiting ADAM9 in macrophages improves acute lung injury (ALI) by enhancing the clearance of apoptotic neutrophils. Blocking the ADAM9-ITGAV interaction offers a potential therapeutic strategy for ALI.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI) requires efficient clearance of apoptotic neutrophils.
  • The mechanisms regulating macrophage efferocytosis in ALI are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of ADAM9 in macrophage efferocytosis during sepsis-induced ALI.
  • To explore the potential of targeting the ADAM9-ITGAV interaction for ALI treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI mouse model.
  • Inhibition of ADAM9 in macrophages and ITGAV in neutrophils.
  • Analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) for immune cells and cytokines.
  • In vitro studies using bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and apoptotic polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs).

Main Results:

  • Inhibiting ADAM9 in macrophages significantly ameliorated ALI in mice.
  • ADAM9 inhibition reduced inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, iNOS) and increased anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10).
  • Downregulation of ADAM9 enhanced efferocytosis of PMNs by BMDMs, mediated by ADAM9 binding to ITGAV on PMNs.

Conclusions:

  • ADAM9 plays a crucial role in regulating macrophage efferocytosis during sepsis-induced ALI.
  • Targeting the interaction between ADAM9 and ITGAV presents a promising therapeutic approach for ALI.