The antimicrobial peptide S100A8/A9 produced by airway epithelium functions as a potent and direct regulator of macrophage phenotype and function.

Elevated counts of alveolar macrophages and attenuated phagocytic capacity are associated with COPD. Factors governing macrophage phagocytosis are poorly understood. In this study we aimed to compare the influence of airway epithelial cell secretions from COPD and nonCOPD subjects on macrophage phagocytic activity, and the role of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs).Supernatants from nonCOPD and COPD small airway epithelial cell (SAEC) cultures exposed to Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi), were applied to human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) for assessment of their influence on phagocytosis. SAECs were analysed for changes in AMP expression by qRT-PCR and the influence of select AMPs on macrophage phenotype and function was assessed by flow cytometry and metabolic activity assay.Secretions from the apical and basolateral surface of NTHi-exposed SAECs from nonCOPD donors elicited superior phagocytic capacity of MDMs. Moreover, NTHi exposure led to a rapid increase in expression of a range of AMPs by nonCOPD SAECs, but this response was delayed in COPD SAECs. We demonstrate that treatment with AMPs β-defensin 2 and S100A8/A9 improved the phagocytic capacity of MDMs. In depth analysis of S100A8/A9 influence of MDMs revealed a role of this AMP in macrophage phenotype and function. Furthermore, we show that the expression of S100A8 and S100A9 is directly regulated by WNT/β-catenin signalling activity, a known deregulated pathway in COPD.In conclusion, for the first time, we demonstrate that airway epithelium from COPD subjects has a reduced capacity to support the phagocytic function of macrophages in response to acute NTHi exposure, and we identify the WNT/β-catenin signalling-modulated and epithelium-derived S100A8/A9 as a potent regulator of macrophage phenotype and function.