P-66 - ROS is the boss.

The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via the oxidative burst has been connected with promotion of inflammation and tissue damage, but in recent years has been implicated in regulation and resolution of inflammation. The aim of this project was to elucidate the impact of the oxidative burst on the development of lupus-like autoimmunity. Lupus was induced by with pristane oil. Ex vivo phagocytosis assays were deployed to assess the uptake of cell debris in ROS deficient mice. The formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) was analysed by immune fluorescence microscopy. ROS activators were injected into mice to investigate the possible beneficial clinical effects on lupus pathology. Determine the effects neutrophil serine proteases have on the degradation of inflammatory mediators The absence of ROS gives rise to dramatically exacerbated lupus. Aberrant phagocytosis in ROS-deficient animals leading to production of inflammatory mediators, accompanied by diminished pristane-induced but higher spontaneous formation of NETs could be responsible for this phenotype. Treatment with NOX2 agonists ameliorated the clinical course in mice, while application of a ROS scavenger worsened disease outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]