Single-cell sequencing reveals the same heterogeneity of neutrophils in heatstroke-induced lung and liver injury

Heatstroke (HS) is typically considered a sepsis-like syndrome caused by hyperthermia, often accompanied by multiple organ dysfunctions (MODS). To explore the mechanisms of MODS, we established a mouse model of HS by exposing mice to a hyperthermic and high-humidity environment. Then, we utilized single-cell RNA Sequencing (scRNA-seq) to depict the cellular landscape of HS mice lung tissue and liver tissue. We found that the enhancement of neutrophil infiltration mediated by the "Cxcr2-Cxcl2″ receptor-ligand pair is a prominent feature of HS-induced lung injury. By effectively suppressing the recruitment of neutrophils in HS-induced lung injury, the application of CXCR2 Inhibitor held positive implications for improving HS-induced lung injury. In addition to the chemotactic effect of immune cells on neutrophils, we identified a subcluster of fibroblasts labeled as Col14a1+, which possessed notable chemotactic factor-secretion characteristics and likely exerted a role in the early stages of neutrophil infiltration. Furthermore, our study unveiled significant heterogeneity among neutrophils within the HS-induced lung injury. Particularly, CD177 + neutrophils exhibited a dominant presence, characterized by heightened pro-inflammatory responses and oxidative stress. In heatstroke-induced liver injury, neutrophils exhibited similar heterogeneous characteristics. CD177 + neutrophils exhibited an enhanced ability to produce neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) while lowering the levels of NETs can significantly improve heatstroke-induced lung and liver injury. Additionally, our study identified Cebpe as a key transcriptional regulatory factor in CD177 + neutrophil differentiation. Knockdown of the expression of Cebpe can suppress the CD177 + neutrophil differentiation and decrease the expression levels of NETs. Our research indicated a common heterogeneity in neutrophils during MODS in HS. CD177 + neutrophils contributed to organ damage in HS, and Cebpe may serve as a crucial intervention target in the treatment of HS.

Heatstroke; Immune environment characteristics; Liver injury; Lung injury; Neutrophil heterogeneity; Single-cell sequencing.