Chromosomes distribute randomly to, but not within, human neutrophil nuclear lobes
Christine R. Keenan,
Michael J. Mlodzianoski,
Hannah D. Coughlan,
Naiara G. Bediaga,
Gaetano Naselli,
Erin C. Lucas,
Qike Wang,
Carolyn A. de Graaf,
Douglas J. Hilton,
Leonard C. Harrison,
Gordon K. Smyth,
Kelly L. Rogers,
Thomas Boudier,
Rhys S. Allan,
Timothy M. Johanson
Affiliations
Christine R. Keenan
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
Michael J. Mlodzianoski
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
Hannah D. Coughlan
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
Naiara G. Bediaga
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
Gaetano Naselli
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
Erin C. Lucas
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
Qike Wang
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
Carolyn A. de Graaf
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
Douglas J. Hilton
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
Leonard C. Harrison
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
Gordon K. Smyth
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia; School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
Kelly L. Rogers
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
Thomas Boudier
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia; Institute of Biology Paris-Seine, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
Rhys S. Allan
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
Timothy M. Johanson
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia; Corresponding author
Summary: The proximity pattern and radial distribution of chromosome territories within spherical nuclei are random and non-random, respectively. Whether this distribution pattern is conserved in the partitioned or lobed nuclei of polymorphonuclear cells is unclear. Here we use chromosome paint technology to examine the chromosome territories of all 46 chromosomes in hundreds of single human neutrophils – an abundant and famously polymorphonuclear immune cell. By comparing the distribution of chromosomes to randomly shuffled controls and validating with orthogonal chromosome conformation capture technology, we show for the first time that human chromosomes randomly distribute to neutrophil nuclear lobes, while maintaining a non-random radial distribution within these lobes. Furthermore, we demonstrate that chromosome length correlates with three-dimensional volume not only in neutrophils but other human immune cells. This work demonstrates that chromosomes are largely passive passengers during the neutrophil lobing process but are able to subsequently maintain their macro-level organization within lobes.
