Signaling mechanism for equine neutrophil activation by immune complexes

Neutrophils (PMN) are critical host defense cells that have a role in the pathophysiology of a variety of inflammatory diseases, particularly those diseases associated with antigen–antibody immune complexes (IC) deposited in tissues. Activation of PMN by IC is most efficient if the IC are presented immobilized on a surface. Adhesion to the immobilized IC is important for subsequent activation of PMN effector functions, such as generation of reactive oxygen metabolites. Adhesion of human PMN to immobilized IC requires the expression and activation of adhesion receptors called integrins. Of the integrins expressed on PMN, the beta 2 family has been found to be of particular importance for PMN function. The mechanism of beta 2 integrin activation during adhesion to IC has been studied in human PMN, but not in equine PMN. We show here that adhesion of equine PMN to immobilized IC requires beta 2 integrins. Like adhesion, IC-induced respiratory burst activity is dependent on beta 2 integrins. Furthermore, the signaling pathway triggering beta 2 integrin-dependent adhesion of equine PMN to IC and subsequent generation of respiratory burst activity is inhibited by the specific phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) antagonists wortmannin and LY294002 with IC 50 (concentration at which 50% inhibition is achieved) similar to the published values for inhibition of PI3K enzymatic activity. In contrast, PMA-induced activation of beta 2 integrin-dependent adhesion and respiratory burst activity are wortmannin and LY294002 insensitive. These data demonstrate that like in human PMN, IC-induced activation of beta 2 integrins and beta 2 integrin-dependent functions in equine PMN is dependent on PI3K activity.