Neutrophil extracellular traps aggravate lung injury by inducing pyroptosis of alveolar macrophages

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Main Authors: Junjuan Lu, Rouxi Song, Honghui Yang, Caihong Liu
Format: Artículo Open Access
Published: Wiley 2026
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author Junjuan Lu
Rouxi Song
Honghui Yang
Caihong Liu
author_facet Junjuan Lu
Rouxi Song
Honghui Yang
Caihong Liu
Junjuan Lu
Rouxi Song
Honghui Yang
Caihong Liu
collection Wiley Open Access
contents Neutrophil extracellular traps aggravate lung injury by inducing pyroptosis of alveolar macrophages Junjuan Lu Rouxi Song Honghui Yang Caihong Liu The Journal of Pathology Abstract Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) contribute to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathogenesis by amplifying airway inflammation. Gasdermin D (GSDMD)‐mediated pyroptosis is a critical driver of COPD progression. This study provides insights into COPD pathogenesis and provides a theoretical basis for potential therapeutic targets. Mice were exposed to cigarette smoke (CS) for 16 weeks to establish a COPD model. In vitro , alveolar macrophages (AMs) (MH‐S) and alveolar epithelial cells (MLE‐12) were treated with cigarette smoke extract (CSE). Subsequently, NETs were isolated from phorbol‐12‐myristate‐13‐acetate (PMA)‐stimulated neutrophils. Lung histopathology, inflammatory markers, and pyroptosis‐related proteins were analyzed. Co‐immunoprecipitation analysis was used to verify the binding of GSDMD and ubiquitin molecules in cells. Interventions included DNase1 to degrade NET and GSDMD knockdown. In CS‐exposed mice, NETs increased the levels of proinflammatory cells and mediators, and lung structure was further disrupted. Pyroptosis of AMs was increased, while phagocytosis of AMs was inhibited. However, treatment with DNAse1 partially reversed the results caused by CS exposure and NET induction. Consistently, NETs aggravated inflammatory response and pyroptosis in the CSE‐induced MH‐S cell model. Furthermore, NETs significantly caused an increase in ROS, which promoted the activation of GSDMD deubiquitination and subsequent pyroptosis pathway in AMs. DNase1 treatment or GSDMD silencing attenuated pyroptosis, reduced inflammatory mediators, and improved lung function. NETs aggravated CS‐induced lung inflammation and injury by activating GSDMD to promote pyroptosis in AMs. Targeting GSDMD or NETs represents a novel therapeutic strategy for COPD. © 2026 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. 10.1002/path.70046 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor
doi_str_mv 10.1002/path.70046
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spellingShingle Neutrophil extracellular traps aggravate lung injury by inducing pyroptosis of alveolar macrophages
Junjuan Lu
Rouxi Song
Honghui Yang
Caihong Liu
The Journal of Pathology
Neutrophil extracellular traps aggravate lung injury by inducing pyroptosis of alveolar macrophages Junjuan Lu Rouxi Song Honghui Yang Caihong Liu The Journal of Pathology Abstract Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) contribute to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathogenesis by amplifying airway inflammation. Gasdermin D (GSDMD)‐mediated pyroptosis is a critical driver of COPD progression. This study provides insights into COPD pathogenesis and provides a theoretical basis for potential therapeutic targets. Mice were exposed to cigarette smoke (CS) for 16 weeks to establish a COPD model. In vitro , alveolar macrophages (AMs) (MH‐S) and alveolar epithelial cells (MLE‐12) were treated with cigarette smoke extract (CSE). Subsequently, NETs were isolated from phorbol‐12‐myristate‐13‐acetate (PMA)‐stimulated neutrophils. Lung histopathology, inflammatory markers, and pyroptosis‐related proteins were analyzed. Co‐immunoprecipitation analysis was used to verify the binding of GSDMD and ubiquitin molecules in cells. Interventions included DNase1 to degrade NET and GSDMD knockdown. In CS‐exposed mice, NETs increased the levels of proinflammatory cells and mediators, and lung structure was further disrupted. Pyroptosis of AMs was increased, while phagocytosis of AMs was inhibited. However, treatment with DNAse1 partially reversed the results caused by CS exposure and NET induction. Consistently, NETs aggravated inflammatory response and pyroptosis in the CSE‐induced MH‐S cell model. Furthermore, NETs significantly caused an increase in ROS, which promoted the activation of GSDMD deubiquitination and subsequent pyroptosis pathway in AMs. DNase1 treatment or GSDMD silencing attenuated pyroptosis, reduced inflammatory mediators, and improved lung function. NETs aggravated CS‐induced lung inflammation and injury by activating GSDMD to promote pyroptosis in AMs. Targeting GSDMD or NETs represents a novel therapeutic strategy for COPD. © 2026 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. 10.1002/path.70046 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor
title Neutrophil extracellular traps aggravate lung injury by inducing pyroptosis of alveolar macrophages
topic The Journal of Pathology
url https://pathsocjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/path.70046