Cell-free DNA in plasma as an essential immune system regulator

journal article in Web of Science

English

The cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is always present in plasma, and it is biomarker of growing interest in prenatal diagnostics as well as in oncology and transplantology for therapy efficiency monitoring. But does this cfDNA have a physiological role? Here we show that cfDNA presence and clearance in plasma of healthy individuals plays an indispensable role in immune system regulation. We exposed THP1 cells to healthy individuals’ plasma with (NP) and without (TP) cfDNA. In cells treated with NP, we found elevated expression of genes whose products maintain immune system homeostasis. Exposure of cells to TP triggered an innate immune response (IIR), documented particularly by elevated expression of pro-inflammatory interleukin 8. The results of mass spectrometry showed a higher abundance of proteins associated with IIR activation due to the regulation of complement cascade in cells cultivated with TP. These expression profiles provide evidence that the presence of cfDNA and its clearance in plasma of healthy individuals regulate fundamental mechanisms of the inflammation process and tissue homeostasis. The detailed understanding how neutrophil extracellular traps and their naturally occurring degradation products affect the performance of immune system is of crucial interest for future medical applications.

cell free DNA; immune system regulator; cytokine storm

Korabecna, M.; Zinkova, A.; Brynychova, I.; Chylikova, B.; Prikryl, P.; Sedova, L.; Neuzil, P.; Seda, O.

1. 12. 2020

Springer

2045-2322

Scientific Reports

10

1

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

17478-1

17478-10

10

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-74288-2