Myeloid Deletion of SIRT1 Induces Inflammatory Signaling in Response to Environmental Stress

Abstract

Macrophage activation and infiltration into resident tissues is known to mediate local inflammation and is a hallmark feature of metabolic syndrome. Members of the sirtuin family of proteins regulate numerous physiological processes, including those involved in nutrient regulation and the promotion of longevity. However, the important role that SIRT1, the leading sirtuin family member, plays in immune response remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that SIRT1 modulates the acetylation status of the RelA/p65 subunit of NF-κB and thus plays a pivotal role in regulating the inflammatory, immune, and apoptotic responses in mammals. Using a myeloid cell-specific SIRT1 knockout (Mac-SIRT1 KO) mouse model, we show that ablation of SIRT1 in macrophages renders NF-κB hyperacetylated, resulting in increased transcriptional activation of proinflammatory target genes. Consistent with increased proinflammatory gene expression, Mac-SIRT1 KO mice challenged with a high-fat diet display high levels of activated macrophages in liver and adipose tissue, predisposing the animals to development of systemic insulin resistance and metabolic derangement. In summary, we report that SIRT1, in macrophages, functions to inhibit NF-κB-mediated transcription, implying that myeloid cell-specific modulation of this sirtuin may be beneficial in the treatment of inflammation and its associated diseases.

We thank Karen Adelman and John Cidlowski for critical reading of the manuscript and Frederic Alt at Harvard Medical School for providing the SIRT1 exon 4 floxed allele.

This research was supported by a grant from the Intramural Research Program of the NIH, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, to X.L. (Z01 ES102205).

The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.