Splenic progenitors aid in maintaining high neutrophil numbers at sites of sterile chronic inflammation. Issue 2 (10th March 2016) - Jhunjhunwala, Siddharth
Abstract : Splenic progenitors play an important role in maintaining continuous and high neutrophil levels in situ, in a model of sterile peritoneal inflammation. Abstract : Neutrophils are constantly generated from hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in the bone marrow to maintain high numbers in circulation. A considerable number of neutrophils and their progenitors have been shown to be present in the spleen too; however, their exact role in this organ remains unclear. Herein, we sought to study the function of splenic neutrophils and their progenitors using a mouse model for sterile, peritoneal inflammation. In this microcapsule device implantation model, we show chronic neutrophil presence at implant sites, with recruitment from circulation as the primary mechanism for their prevalence in the peritoneal exudate. Furthermore, we demonstrate that progenitor populations in the spleen play a key role in maintaining elevated neutrophil numbers. Our results provide new insight into the role for splenic neutrophils and their progenitors and establish a model to study neutrophil function during sterile inflammation.