Elevated TNF-α Induces Thrombophagocytosis by Mononuclear Cells in ex vivo Whole-Blood Co-Culture with Dengue Virus

BACKGROUND: Infection with dengue virus (DENV) causes hematological complications in dengue diseases characterized by thrombocytopenia accompanied by macrophage activation syndrome and hemophagocytosis in fatal patients. METHODS: In this study, we investigate the undefined mechanisms underlying the progression of thrombocytopenia caused by thrombophagocytosis based on an ex vivo whole-blood co-culture model of DENV infection for mimicking the acute febrile phase of infection. RESULTS: In this model, complete blood count test showed a decrease in monocytes (p < 0.01), but not neutrophils nor other white blood cells, accompanied by a low thrombocyte count (p < 0.01) in DENV infection with a positive correlation (r = 0.636, p < 0.05). Furthermore, DENV exposure caused significant thrombophagocytosis in mononuclear cells (p < 0.05). Abnormal production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α was highly associated with induction of thrombophagocytosis (r = 0.758, p < 0.01), decreased monocytes (r = −0.758, p < 0.01), and decreased thrombocyte (r = −0.728, p < 0.01). Neutralizing TNF-α considerably (p < 0.05) reversed such DENV-induced effects and was further validated by immunostaining-based flow cytometry analysis on mononuclear CD14 positive monocytes. Exogenous administration of TNF-α effectively caused thrombophagocytosis accompanied by decreased monocytes and thrombocytes, probably causing monocyte activation. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate the potential pathogenesis of thrombocytopenia caused by TNF-α-induced thrombophagocytosis in monocytes during DENV infection.