Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Aggravate Injury in Complement-Mediated Thrombotic Microangiopathy

BACKGROUND: Complement hyperactivation and endothelial cell damage are pivotal pathogenic drivers of multiple organ damage in complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). The specific pathogenic role of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) remains unclear. METHODS: This study included 107 patients with complement-mediated TMA and measured circulating and renal NETs biomarkers. The effects of peptidylarginine deiminase 4 (Pad4) knockout, NETs inhibitors (deoxyribonuclease I or GSK484), and neutrophil depletion were evaluated for their ability to attenuate multi-organ injury in complement-mediated TMA mice with a point mutation (W1206R) in complement factor H (FHR/R). Furthermore, the influence of NETs on the regulation of the membrane attack complex (MAC), with a focus on CD59 modulation, was investigated in cultured human renal glomerular endothelial cells (HRGECs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). RESULTS: Elevated levels of NETs biomarkers in both plasma and kidney tissues were observed in complement-mediated TMA patients, which were associated with disease activity and increased MAC deposition. In FHR/R mice, Pad4 knockout improved survival and attenuated phenotypes of TMA, as evidenced by the amelioration of anemia, kidney injury, MAC deposition, and macrovascular thrombosis. Therapeutic targeting of NETs with deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) and PAD4 inhibitor GSK484 similarly ameliorated kidney pathology and MAC deposition in FHR/R mice. Neutrophil depletion significantly reduced systemic and kidney injury in FHR/R mice. NETs induced MAC deposition on HRGECs by promoting CD59 shedding through neutrophil serine proteases and enhanced coagulation through upregulation of tissue factor in HUVECs. Clinically, reduced glomerular CD59 expression and elevated urinary soluble CD59 levels were associated with both NETs formation and MAC deposition. CONCLUSIONS: Levels of NETs biomarkers increased in complement-mediated TMA and drove multi-organ injury by shedding CD59 from HRGECs to enhance complement activation and participate in coagulation activation.