Lipocalin-2 expression identifies an intestinal regulatory neutrophil population during acute graft-versus-host disease

Sci Transl Med. 2024 Feb 21;16(735):eadi1501. doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adi1501. Epub 2024 Feb 21.

Abstract

Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is a life-threatening complication of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT), for which therapeutic options are limited. Strategies to promote intestinal tissue tolerance during aGVHD may improve patient outcomes. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we identified a lipocalin-2 (LCN2)-expressing neutrophil population in mice with intestinal aGVHD. Transfer of LCN2-overexpressing neutrophils or treatment with recombinant LCN2 reduced aGVHD severity, whereas the lack of epithelial or hematopoietic LCN2 enhanced aGVHD severity and caused microbiome alterations. Mechanistically, LCN2 induced insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) signaling in macrophages through the LCN2 receptor SLC22A17, which increased interleukin-10 (IL-10) production and reduced major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) expression. Transfer of LCN2-pretreated macrophages reduced aGVHD severity but did not reduce graft-versus-leukemia effects. Furthermore, LCN2 expression correlated with IL-10 expression in intestinal biopsies in multiple cohorts of patients with aGVHD, and LCN2 induced IGF-1R signaling in human macrophages. Collectively, we identified a LCN2-expressing intestinal neutrophil population that reduced aGVHD severity by decreasing MHCII expression and increasing IL-10 production in macrophages. This work provides the foundation for administration of LCN2 as a therapeutic approach for aGVHD.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Animals
  • Graft vs Host Disease* / genetics
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-10
  • Lipocalin-2 / genetics
  • Macrophages / pathology
  • Mice
  • Neutrophils / pathology

Substances

  • Interleukin-10
  • Lipocalin-2