Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinase Is a Metabolic Checkpoint for Polarization of Macrophages to the M1 Phenotype.

Abstract

Metabolic reprogramming during macrophage polarization supports the effector functions of these cells in health and disease. Here, we demonstrate that pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK), which inhibits the pyruvate dehydrogenase-mediated conversion of cytosolic pyruvate to mitochondrial acetyl-CoA, functions as a metabolic checkpoint in M1 macrophages. Polarization was not prevented by PDK2 or PDK4 deletion but was fully prevented by the combined deletion of PDK2 and PDK4; this lack of polarization was correlated with improved mitochondrial respiration and rewiring of metabolic breaks that are characterized by increased glycolytic intermediates and reduced metabolites in the TCA cycle. Genetic deletion or pharmacological inhibition of PDK2/4 prevents polarization of macrophages to the M1 phenotype in response to inflammatory stimuli (lipopolysaccharide plus IFN-γ). Transplantation of PDK2/4-deficient bone marrow into irradiated wild-type mice to produce mice with PDK2/4-deficient myeloid cells prevented M1 polarization, reduced obesity-associated insulin resistance, and ameliorated adipose tissue inflammation. A novel, pharmacological PDK inhibitor, KPLH1130, improved high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance; this was correlated with a reduction in the levels of pro-inflammatory markers and improved mitochondrial function. These studies identify PDK2/4 as a metabolic checkpoint for M1 phenotype polarization of macrophages, which could potentially be exploited as a novel therapeutic target for obesity-associated metabolic disorders and other inflammatory conditions.

• Authors: Byong-Keol Min, Sungmi Park, Hyeon-Ji Kang, Dong Wook Kim, Hye Jin Ham, Chae-Myeong Ha, Byung-Jun Choi, Jung Yi Lee, Chang Joo Oh, Eun Kyung Yoo, Hui Eon Kim, Byung-Gyu Kim, Jae-Han Jeon, Do Young Hyeon, Daehee Hwang, Yong-Hoon Kim, Chul-Ho Lee, Taeho Lee, Jung-Whan Kim, Yeon-Kyung Choi, Keun-Gyu Park, Ajay Chawla, Jongsoon Lee, Robert A Harris, In-Kyu Lee
• Journal: Frontiers in immunology (Front Immunol) Vol. 10 Pg. 944 ( 2019) ISSN: 1664-3224 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 31134063 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Pdk2 protein, mouse
• Pdk4 protein, mouse
• Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Acetyl-Transferring Kinase
• Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex
• Acetyl Coenzyme A
• Pyruvic Acid

Topics

• Acetyl Coenzyme A (immunology, metabolism)
• Animals
• Cytosol (immunology, metabolism)
• Diet, High-Fat (adverse effects)
• Insulin Resistance (genetics, immunology)
• Macrophage Activation (immunology)
• Macrophages (classification, immunology, metabolism)
• Male
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Mice, Knockout
• Mitochondria (immunology, metabolism)
• Obesity (etiology, genetics, immunology)
• Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Acetyl-Transferring Kinase (deficiency, genetics, immunology)
• Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex (immunology, metabolism)
• Pyruvic Acid (immunology, metabolism)