Abstract
Proinflammatory cytokine production in macrophages involves multiple regulatory mechanisms, which are affected by environmental and intrinsic stress. In particular, accumulating evidence has suggested epigenetic control of macrophage differentiation and function mainly in vitro. SET domain, bifurcated 1 (Setdb1, also known as Eset) is a histone 3 lysine 9 (H3K9)-specific methyltransferase and is essential for early development of embryos. Here we demonstrate that Setdb1 in macrophages potently suppresses Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-mediated expression of proinflammatory cytokines including interleukin-6 through its methyltransferase activity. As a molecular mechanism, Setdb1-deficiency decreases the basal H3K9 methylation levels and augments TLR4-mediated NF-κB recruitment on the proximal promoter region of interleukin-6, thereby accelerating interleukin-6 promoter activity. Moreover, macrophage-specific Setdb1-knockout mice exhibit higher serum interleukin-6 concentrations in response to lipopolysaccharide challenge and are more susceptible to endotoxin shock than wildtype mice. This study provides evidence that the H3K9 methyltransferase Setdb1 is a novel epigenetic regulator of proinflammatory cytokine expression in macrophages in vitro and in vivo. Our data will shed insight into the better understanding of how the immune system reacts to a variety of conditions.
Highlights
Proinflammatory cytokine production in macrophages involves multiple regulatory mechanisms, which are affected by environmental and intrinsic stress
We have reported that members of the activating transcription factor (ATF)/cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) family of transcription factors are involved in a positive (e.g., ATF4) or a negative (e.g., ATF3) regulation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling[4,5]
We demonstrate that Setdb1-deficiency in macrophages increases TLR4-mediated expression of proinflammatory cytokines including interleukin-6 (IL6)
Summary
Proinflammatory cytokine production in macrophages involves multiple regulatory mechanisms, which are affected by environmental and intrinsic stress. We demonstrate that Setdb[1] in macrophages potently suppresses Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-mediated expression of proinflammatory cytokines including interleukin-6 through its methyltransferase activity. Setdb1-deficiency decreases the basal H3K9 methylation levels and augments TLR4-mediated NF-κB recruitment on the proximal promoter region of interleukin-6, thereby accelerating interleukin-6 promoter activity. This study provides evidence that the H3K9 methyltransferase Setdb[1] is a novel epigenetic regulator of proinflammatory cytokine expression in macrophages in vitro and in vivo. It is known that histone modifications are affected by intracellular and extracellular conditions In this regard, Villeneuve et al reported that high glucose conditions may decrease H3K9 methylation levels, thereby accelerating proinflammatory cytokine expression in vascular smooth muscle cells[8]. This study provides evidence that Setdb[1] is a novel epigenetic regulator of proinflammatory cytokine expression in macrophages
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
