Neutrophils induce macrophage anti-inflammatory reprogramming by suppressing NF-κB activation

Cell Death Dis. 2018 Jun 4;9(6):665. doi: 10.1038/s41419-018-0710-y.

Abstract

Apoptotic cells modulate the function of macrophages to control and resolve inflammation. Here, we show that neutrophils induce a rapid and sustained suppression of NF-κB signalling in the macrophage through a unique regulatory relationship which is independent of apoptosis. The reduction of macrophage NF-κB activation occurs through a blockade in transforming growth factor β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) and IKKβ activation. As a consequence, NF-κB (p65) phosphorylation is reduced, its translocation to the nucleus is inhibited and NF-κB-mediated inflammatory cytokine transcription is suppressed. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis reveals that this suppression of NF-κB activation is not restricted to post-translational modifications of the canonical NF-κB pathway, but is also imprinted at the transcriptional level. Thus neutrophils exert a sustained anti-inflammatory phenotypic reprogramming of the macrophage, which is reflected by the sustained reduction in the release of pro- but not anti- inflammatory cytokines from the macrophage. Together, our findings identify a novel apoptosis-independent mechanism by which neutrophils regulate the mediator profile and reprogramming of monocytes/macrophages, representing an important nodal point for inflammatory control.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / metabolism*
  • Apoptosis
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Humans
  • I-kappa B Kinase / metabolism
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Ligands
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases / metabolism
  • Macrophages / metabolism*
  • Models, Biological
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • Neutrophils / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-1 / metabolism
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I / metabolism
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Cytokines
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Ligands
  • NF-kappa B
  • Receptors, Interleukin-1
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4
  • I-kappa B Kinase
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases
  • MAP kinase kinase kinase 7