Human Mesenchymal stem cells program macrophage plasticity by altering their metabolic status via a PGE2-dependent mechanism

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 6; no. 1; p. 38308
• Main Authors: Vasandan, Anoop Babu, Jahnavi, Sowmya, Shashank, Chandanala, Prasad, Priya, Kumar, Anujith, Prasanna, S. Jyothi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group 02.12.2016
• Subjects: Cell activation; Cyclooxygenase-2; Endothelial cells; Functional plasticity; Inflammation; Interfaces; Macrophages; Mesenchymal stem cells; Mesenchyme; Metabolism; Microbicides; Prostaglandin E2; Respiratory burst; Stem cells; TOR protein
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/srep38308

Abstract Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are speculated to act at macrophage-injury interfaces to mediate efficient repair. To explore this facet in-depth this study evaluates the influence of MSCs on human macrophages existing in distinct functional states. MSCs promoted macrophage differentiation, enhanced respiratory burst and potentiated microbicidal responses in naïve macrophages (Mφ). Functional attenuation of inflammatory M1 macrophages was associated with a concomitant shift towards alternatively activated M2 state in MSC-M1 co-cultures. In contrast, alternate macrophage (M2) activation was enhanced in MSC-M2 co-cultures. Elucidation of key macrophage metabolic programs in Mo/MSC, M1/MSC and M2/MSC co-cultures indicated changes in Glucose transporter1 ( GLUT1 expression/glucose uptake, IDO1 protein/activity, SIRTUIN1 and alterations in AMPK and mTOR activity, reflecting MSC-instructed metabolic shifts. Inability of Cox2 knockdown MSCs to attenuate M1 macrophages and their inefficiency in instructing metabolic shifts in polarized macrophages establishes a key role for MSC-secreted PGE 2 in manipulating macrophage metabolic status and plasticity. Functional significance of MSC-mediated macrophage activation shifts was further validated on human endothelial cells prone to M1 mediated injury. In conclusion, we propose a novel role for MSC secreted factors induced at the MSC-macrophage interface in re-educating macrophages by manipulating metabolic programs in differentially polarized macrophages.