NETosis Induced by Serum of Patients with COVID-19 is Reduced with
Reparixin or Antibodies Against DEK and IL-8.
Abstract
DEK locates in the nucleus of the cells or the cytoplasmic granules of
neutrophils and plays different roles in cellular processes including
NETosis, a suicide mechanism of neutrophils. Here we showed that the
interaction of rDEK with CXCR2 leads to NETosis, which could be reduced
by the CXCR1/CXCR2 inhibitor reparixin. We found that IL-8, IL-6, IL1-β,
MPO, and CitH3 were increased whereas DEK was decreased in the serum of
COVID-19 patients. Interestingly, reparixin or anti-DEK antibody reduced
the NETosis induced by the patients’ serum, suggesting that initial
cytokine stimulation may further induce the release of DEK. Our results
support the use of reparixin as a potential therapeutic strategy in
COVID-19 and suggest that DEK-CXCR2 interaction plays a role in NETosis.