IMMUNOLOGY2026™ Conference Recordings For Attendees-Siglec-F+ neutrophils are pro-inflammatory and exacerbate C. difficile colitis

Siglec-F+ neutrophils are pro-inflammatory and exacerbate C. difficile colitis

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The speaker presented ongoing work on Siglec-F–positive neutrophils in <em>C. difficile</em> infection. Using a mouse model of antibiotic-treated, infected mice, she found that this neutrophil subset appears in the colon over time, becoming dominant during disease resolution. She first confirmed these cells were true neutrophils, not eosinophils, using neutrophil- and eosinophil-specific markers and GATA-1 knockout mice. The cells were mature, colon-restricted, and distinct from an immature human neutrophil population.  

Single-cell and bulk RNA-seq showed that Siglec-F–positive neutrophils have a unique transcriptional state enriched for lipid mediator pathways and survival genes. Functionally, they produced more ROS, NETs, and granule activity, and were more metabolically active, without increased pyroptosis.  

Blocking these cells early in infection worsened disease, suggesting a protective role. Overall, Siglec-F identifies a highly active, colon-specific neutrophil population that may help control early <em>C. difficile</em> disease.

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Date April 16, 2026 10:00 AM - 10:15 AM

Room 102

Session Innate Immune Defenses in the Epithelium

Speaker Farha Naz

Track Innate Immune Responses and Host Defense: Cellular Mechanisms (INC)

Year 2026

Keywords

Siglec-F-positive neutrophils

C. difficile infection

colon-specific neutrophils

single-cell RNA-seq

neutrophil activation

April 16, 2026 10:00 AM - 10:15 AM

102

Innate Immune Defenses in the Epithelium

Farha Naz

Innate Immune Responses and Host Defense: Cellular Mechanisms (INC)

2026