Activation of LXR Nuclear Receptors Impairs the Anti-Inflammatory Gene and Functional Profile of M-CSF-Dependent Human Monocyte-Derived Macrophages
Arturo González de la Aleja, Cristina Herrero, Mónica Torres‐Torresano, Juan Vladimir de la Rosa, Bárbara Alonso, Enrique Capa-Sardón, Ittai B. Muller, Gerrit Jansen, Amaya Puig‐Kröger, Miguel A. Vega, Antonio Castrillo, Ángel L. Corbí
Abstract
Liver X Receptors (LXR) control cholesterol metabolism and exert anti-inflammatory actions but their contribution to human macrophage polarization remains unclear. The LXR pathway is enriched in pro-inflammatory macrophages from rheumatoid arthritis as well as in tumors-associated macrophages from human tumors. We now report that LXR activation inhibits the anti-inflammatory gene and functional profile of M-CSF-dependent human macrophages, and prompts the acquisition of a pro-inflammatory gene signature, with both effects being blocked by an LXR inverse agonist. Mechanistically, the LXR-stimulated macrophage polarization shift correlates with diminished expression of MAFB and MAF, which govern the macrophage anti-inflammatory profile, and with enhanced release of activin A. Indeed, LXR activation impaired macrophage polarization in response to tumor-derived ascitic fluids, as well as the expression of MAF- and MAFB-dependent genes. Our results demonstrate that LXR activation limits the anti-inflammatory human macrophage polarization and prompts the acquisition of an inflammatory transcriptional and functional profile.