Acute respiratory distress syndrome is associated with impaired alveolar macrophage efferocytosis

ABSTRACT Background Alveolar macrophage dysfunction may contribute to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) pathogenesis, however this has been little studied. Objective: To investigate the pathophysiological link between alveolar macrophage efferocytosis, alveolar neutrophil apoptosis and clinical outcomes in ARDS patients, and to determine whether efferocytosis can be restored. Methods Ventilated sepsis patients with or without ARDS underwent broncho-alveolar lavage. Apoptosis of alveolar neutrophils was assessed using flow cytometry. Alveolar macrophages were isolated and used in flow cytometric efferocytosis assays with labelled apoptotic neutrophils. Alveolar macrophages were also isolated from the lung tissue of lobectomy patients, then treated with pooled ARDS BAL fluid prior to functional assessment. Rac1 gene expression was assessed using RT-qPCR. Results Patients with sepsis-related ARDS have decreased alveolar macrophage efferocytosis and increased alveolar neutrophil apoptosis compared to control ventilated sepsis patients. Across all ventilated sepsis patients, alveolar macrophage efferocytosis correlated negatively with alveolar cytokines (IL-8, IL-1ra), duration of ventilation and mortality. ARDS BAL treatment of alveolar macrophages decreased efferocytosis and Rac1 gene expression, however bacterial phagocytosis was preserved. Unexpectedly, alveolar macrophage efferocytosis receptor expression (MerTK, CD206) decreased and expression of the anti-efferocytosis receptor SIRPα increased following ARDS BAL treatment. Rho-associated kinase inhibition partially restored alveolar macrophage efferocytosis in an in vitro model of ARDS. Conclusions Patients with sepsis-related ARDS have impaired AM efferocytosis, which potentially contributes to ARDS pathogenesis and negatively impacts clinical outcomes, including mortality. Strategies to upregulate AM efferocytosis may be of value for attenuating inflammation in ARDS.