Anti-inflammatory effects of nicotinic acid in human monocytes are mediated by GPR109A dependent mechanisms.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Nicotinic acid (NA) treatment has been associated with benefits in atherosclerosis that are usually attributed to effects on plasma lipoproteins. The NA receptor GPR109A is expressed in monocytes and macrophages, suggesting a possible additional role for NA in modulating function of these immune cells. We hypothesize that NA has the potential to act directly on monocytes to alter mediators of inflammation that may contribute to its antiatherogenic effects in vivo.

METHODS AND RESULTS:

In human monocytes activated by Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 agonist lipopolysaccharide, NA reduced secretion of proinflammatory mediators: TNF-α (by 49.2±4.5%); interleukin-6 (by 56.2±2.8%), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (by 43.2±3.1%) (P<0.01). In TLR2 agonist, heat-killed Listeria monocytogenes-activated human monocytes, NA reduced secretion of TNF-α (by 48.6±7.1%), interleukin-6 (by 60.9±1.6%), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (by 59.3±5.3%) (P<0.01; n=7). Knockdown of GPR109A by siRNA resulted in a loss of this anti-inflammatory effect in THP-1 monocytes. However, inhibition of prostaglandin D2 receptor by MK0524 or COX2 by NS398 did not alter the anti-inflammatory effects of NA observed in activated human monocytes. Preincubation of THP-1 monocytes with NA 0.1 mmol/L reduced phosphorylated IKKβ by 42±2% (P<0.001) IKB-α by 54±14% (P<0.01). Accumulation of nuclear p65 NF-κB in response to lipopolysaccharide treatment was also profoundly inhibited, by 89±1.3% (n=4; P<0.01). NA potently inhibited monocyte adhesion to activated HUVEC, and VCAM, mediated by the integrin, very late antigen 4. Monocyte chemotaxis was also significantly reduced (by 45.7±1.2%; P<0.001).

CONCLUSION:

NA displays a range of effects that are lipoprotein-independent and potentially antiatherogenic. These effects are mediated by GPR109A and are independent of prostaglandin pathways. They suggest a rationale for treatment with NA that is not dependent on levels of plasma cholesterol and possible applications beyond the treatment of dyslipidemia.

• Authors: Janet E Digby, Fernando Martinez, Andrew Jefferson, Neil Ruparelia, Joshua Chai, Malgorzata Wamil, David R Greaves, Robin P Choudhury
• Journal: Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology (Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol) Vol. 32 Issue 3 Pg. 669-76 (Mar 2012) ISSN: 1524-4636 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22267479 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• CCL2 protein, human
• Chemokine CCL2
• Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors
• HCAR2 protein, human
• IL6 protein, human
• Inflammation Mediators
• Integrin alpha4beta1
• Interleukin-6
• Lipopolysaccharides
• Pyrazines
• RELA protein, human
• Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
• Receptors, Immunologic
• Receptors, Nicotinic
• Receptors, Prostaglandin
• TLR2 protein, human
• TLR4 protein, human
• Toll-Like Receptor 2
• Toll-Like Receptor 4
• Transcription Factor RelA
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1
• Niacin
• CHUK protein, human
• I-kappa B Kinase
• IKBKB protein, human
• acipimox
• prostaglandin D2 receptor

Topics

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (pharmacology)
• Cell Adhesion (drug effects)
• Cells, Cultured
• Chemokine CCL2 (metabolism)
• Chemotaxis, Leukocyte (drug effects)
• Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors (pharmacology)
• Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (drug effects, immunology, metabolism)
• Humans
• I-kappa B Kinase (metabolism)
• Inflammation (genetics, immunology, metabolism)
• Inflammation Mediators (metabolism)
• Integrin alpha4beta1 (metabolism)
• Interleukin-6 (metabolism)
• Lipopolysaccharides (pharmacology)
• Monocytes (drug effects, immunology, metabolism)
• Niacin (pharmacology)
• Phosphorylation
• Pyrazines (pharmacology)
• RNA Interference
• Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled (drug effects, genetics, metabolism)
• Receptors, Immunologic (antagonists & inhibitors, metabolism)
• Receptors, Nicotinic (drug effects, genetics, metabolism)
• Receptors, Prostaglandin (antagonists & inhibitors, metabolism)
• Toll-Like Receptor 2 (agonists, metabolism)
• Toll-Like Receptor 4 (agonists, metabolism)
• Transcription Factor RelA (metabolism)
• Transfection
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (metabolism)
• Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (metabolism)