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Type-4 phosphodiesterase (PDE4) blockade prevents NETosis in cystic fibrosis
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  • Licia Totani,
  • Concetta Amore,
  • Antonio Piccoli,
  • Giuseppe Dell'Elba,
  • Angelo Di Santo,
  • Roberto Plebani,
  • Romina Pecce,
  • Nicola Martelli,
  • Ida De Fino,
  • Serena Ranucci,
  • Alice Rossi,
  • Paolo Moretti,
  • Allesandra Bragonzi ,
  • Mario ROMANO,
  • Virgilio Evangelista
Licia Totani
Fondazione Mario Negri Sud

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Concetta Amore
Consorzio Mario Negri Sud
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Antonio Piccoli
Consorzio Mario Negri Sud
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Giuseppe Dell'Elba
Consorzio Mario Negri Sud
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Angelo Di Santo
Consorzio Mario Negri Sud
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Roberto Plebani
Gabriele d'Annunzio University of Chieti and Pescara
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Romina Pecce
Gabriele d'Annunzio University of Chieti and Pescara
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Nicola Martelli
Consorzio Mario Negri Sud
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Ida De Fino
Istituto Scientifico Universitario San Raffaele
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Serena Ranucci
Istituto Scientifico Universitario San Raffaele
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Alice Rossi
Istituto Scientifico Universitario San Raffaele
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Paolo Moretti
S. Liberatore Hospital Atri
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Allesandra Bragonzi
Istituto Scientifico Universitario San Raffaele
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Mario ROMANO
Gabriele d'Annunzio University of Chieti and Pescara
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Virgilio Evangelista
Consorzio Mario Negri Sud
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Abstract

Background and Purpose: Neutrophilic inflammation is a key determinant of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease. Neutrophil-derived free DNA, released in form of extracellular trap (NETs), significantly correlates with impaired lung function in patients with CF, underlying their pathogenetic role in CF lung disease. Thus, specific approaches to control NETosis of neutrophils migrated into the lungs may be clinically relevant in CF. Experimental Approach: We investigated the efficacy of phosphodiesterase (PDE) type-4 inhibitors, in vitro, on NETs release by neutrophils from healthy volunteers and individuals with CF, and in vivo, on NETs accumulation and lung inflammation in mice infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Key Results: PDE4 blockade curbed endotoxin-induced NETs production and preserved cellular integrity and apoptosis in neutrophils, from healthy subjects and patients with CF, challenged with endotoxin, in vitro. The pharmacological effects of PDE4 inhibitors were significantly more evident on CF neutrophils. In a mouse model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa chronic infection, aerosol treatment with roflumilast, a selective PDE4 inhibitor, gave a significant reduction in free-DNA in BALF. This was accompanied by reduced citrullination of Histone H3 in neutrophils migrated into the airways. Roflumilast-treated mice showed a significant improvement in weight recovery. Conclusions and Implications: Our study provides the first evidence that PDE4 blockade controls NETosis in vitro and in vivo, in CF relevant models. Since selective PDE4 inhibitors have been recently approved for the treatment of COPD and psoriasis, our present results encourage clinical trials to test the efficacy of this class of drugs in CF.