Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Objectives
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are one of the most widely prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs. By acting through their cognate receptor, the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), GCs downregulate the expression of pro-inflammatory genes and upregulate the expression of anti-inflammatory genes. Metabolic pathways have recently been identified as key parts of both the inflammatory activation and anti-inflammatory polarization of macrophages, immune cells responsible for acute inflammation and tissue repair. It is currently unknown whether GCs control macrophage metabolism, and if so, to what extent metabolic regulation by GCs confers anti-inflammatory activity.Methods
Using transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling of macrophages, we identified GC-controlled pathways involved in metabolism, especially in mitochondrial function.Results
Metabolic analyses revealed that GCs repress glycolysis in inflammatory myeloid cells and promote tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle flux, promoting succinate metabolism and preventing intracellular accumulation of succinate. Inhibition of ATP synthase attenuated GC-induced transcriptional changes, likely through stalling of TCA cycle anaplerosis. We further identified a glycolytic regulatory transcription factor, HIF1α, as regulated by GCs, and as a key regulator of GC responsiveness during inflammatory challenge.Conclusions
Our findings link metabolism to gene regulation by GCs in macrophages.
SUBMITTER: Stifel U
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8783148 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Stifel Ulrich U Wolfschmitt Eva-Maria EM Vogt Josef J Wachter Ulrich U Vettorazzi Sabine S Tews Daniel D Hogg Melanie M Zink Fabian F Koll Nora Maria NM Winning Sandra S Mounier Rémi R Chazaud Bénédicte B Radermacher Peter P Fischer-Posovszky Pamela P Caratti Giorgio G Tuckermann Jan J
Molecular metabolism 20211222
<h4>Objectives</h4>Glucocorticoids (GCs) are one of the most widely prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs. By acting through their cognate receptor, the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), GCs downregulate the expression of pro-inflammatory genes and upregulate the expression of anti-inflammatory genes. Metabolic pathways have recently been identified as key parts of both the inflammatory activation and anti-inflammatory polarization of macrophages, immune cells responsible for acute inflammation and tis ...[more]