Disease progression is associated with differential neutrophil maturation in Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected macaques

ABSTRACT Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), is associated with clinical diversity and outcomes ranging from latent TB to active TB with distinct pathophysiologies. However, our understanding of the innate immune mechanisms related to the protection or progression of TB is limited. Among innate immune cells, the role of neutrophils is not fully elucidated, as they have been shown to exhibit both protective and harmful capacities in TB. This duality suggests possible differences in the nature and type of neutrophils present during the infection, generating different effects. We hypothesized that Mtb infection induces changes in neutrophil phenotype and function, influencing the infection outcomes. In order to decipher the link between neutrophils and disease progression, we used a cynomolgus macaque model of human TB. Based on clinical, bacteriological, and positron emission tomography with X-ray computed tomography (PET/CT) scan parameters, animals were stratified into two categories: animals that rapidly progressed to an active form of TB, designated as “fast progressors”, and “slow progressors”, which include low symptomatic or asymptomatic animals. In this study, we identified transcriptomic signatures of type I interferons and neutrophil degranulation in macaques with fast progression to active TB, which were not observed in animals with slow TB progression. Unsuppervised mass cytometry analysis showed the emergence of blood immature neutrophils (CD101+ CD10-) in fast progressing animals. In addition, circulating neutrophils from infected animals displayed capacities to modulate TNF-α production and cytotoxic function of CD8 T cells in a contact-dependent mechanism. In the lungs, neutrophils infiltration in granuloma was higher in fast progressors and specifically located in the lymphocyte-rich region in lesions. These data suggest that specific neutrophil’ subpopulations are associated with disease progression. Furthermore, these data suggest that neutrophils may modulate CD8 T cells’ functions, which in turn contribute to the loss of Mtb control and fuel inflammation. AUTHORS SUMMARY Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection in humans is associated with a wide range of disease progression, ranging from latent tuberculosis (TB) to active TB. Understanding immune factors leading to the control of the infection or disease progression is essential to identify new biomarkers and targets for host-directed therapies. Innate immunity plays an important role in inflammatory imbalance observed in active TB, among which neutrophils have both beneficial and detrimental roles. Using a macaque model developing a broad range of clinical forms of TB, we seek to understand the links between neutrophils and disease progression. We found that rapid progression to active TB leads to type I interferon signalling and neutrophil activation. In the blood, immature neutrophils were enriched when the disease progressed. In case of severe TB, Neutrophils also infiltrate a specific region of lung TB lesions rich in T lymphocytes, whereas they could modulate CD8 T cells. Our study provides new insights into the role of neutrophils in TB progression.