Usage Information
Citation Information: JCI Insight. 2025;10(2):e180248. https://doi.org/10.1172/jci.insight.180248.
Abstract
Autoimmune uveitis (AU) is a sight-threatening ocular autoimmune disorder that often manifests as retinal vasculitis. Increased neutrophil infiltration around retinal vessels has been reported during the progression of AU, while how they function is not fully recognized. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), produced by activated neutrophils, have been suggested to be detrimental in autoimmune diseases. Here, we found that NETs were elevated in patients with active AU, and this was verified in an experimental AU (EAU) mouse model. Depletion of neutrophils or degradation of NETs with deoxyribonuclease-I (DNase I) could decrease CD4+ effector T cell (Teff) infiltration in retina and spleen to alleviate EAU. Moreover, we found that the expression of adhesion molecules, selectin, and antigen-presenting molecules was elevated in EAU retina and in retinal microvascular endothelial cells (RMECs) cocultured with NETs. The stimulated RMECs further facilitated CD4+ T cell adhesion, activation, and differentiation into Teffs. Mechanistically, NETs trigger RMEC activation by hastening cell senescence through the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)/stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway. Slowing down senescence or inhibiting the cGAS/STING pathway in RMECs reduces the activation and differentiation of CD4+ T cells. These results suggest a deleterious role of NETs in AU. Targeting NETs would offer an effective therapeutic method.
Authors
Zuoyi Li, Zhuang Li, Yunwei Hu, Yanyan Xie, Yuxun Shi, Guanyu Chen, Jun Huang, Zhiqiang Xiao, Wenjie Zhu, Haixiang Huang, Minzhen Wang, Jianping Chen, Xiaoqing Chen, Dan Liang
Usage data is cumulative from January 2025 through March 2025.
| Usage | JCI | PMC |
|---|---|---|
| Text version | 1,613 | 128 |
| 313 | 26 | |
| Figure | 373 | 3 |
| Supplemental data | 131 | 3 |
| Citation downloads | 26 | 0 |
| Totals | 2,456 | 160 |
| Total Views | 2,616 | |
Usage information is collected from two different sources: this site (JCI) and Pubmed Central (PMC). JCI information (compiled daily) shows human readership based on methods we employ to screen out robotic usage. PMC information (aggregated monthly) is also similarly screened of robotic usage.
Various methods are used to distinguish robotic usage. For example, Google automatically scans articles to add to its search index and identifies itself as robotic; other services might not clearly identify themselves as robotic, or they are new or unknown as robotic. Because this activity can be misinterpreted as human readership, data may be re-processed periodically to reflect an improved understanding of robotic activity. Because of these factors, readers should consider usage information illustrative but subject to change.
