Locally organised and activated Fth1(hi) neutrophils aggravate inflammation of acute lung injury in an IL-10-dependent manner

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common respiratory critical syndrome with no effective therapeutic intervention. Neutrophils function in the overwhelming inflammatory process of acute lung injury (ALI) caused by ARDS; however, the phenotypic heterogeneity of pulmonary neutrophils in ALI/ARDS remains largely unknown. Here, using single-cell RNA sequencing, we identify two transcriptionally and functionally heterogeneous neutrophil populations (Fth1(hi) Neu and Prok2(hi) Neu) with distinct locations in LPS-induced ALI mouse lungs. Exposure to LPS promotes the Fth1(hi) Neu subtype, with more inflammatory factors, stronger antioxidant, and decreased apoptosis under the regulation of interleukin-10. Furthermore, prolonged retention of Fth1(hi) Neu within lung tissue aggravates inflammatory injury throughout the development of ALI/ARDS. Notably, ARDS patients have high ratios of Fth1 to Prok2 expression in pulmonary neutrophils, suggesting that the Fth1(hi) Neu population may promote the pathological development and provide a marker of poor outcome.