Abstract
Macrophages rely on tightly integrated metabolic rewiring to clear dying neighboring cells by efferocytosis during homeostasis and disease. Here we reveal that glutaminase-1-mediated glutaminolysis is critical to promote apoptotic cell clearance by macrophages during homeostasis in mice. In addition, impaired macrophage glutaminolysis exacerbates atherosclerosis, a condition during which, efficient apoptotic cell debris clearance is critical to limit disease progression. Glutaminase-1 expression strongly correlates with atherosclerotic plaque necrosis in patients with cardiovascular diseases. High-throughput transcriptional and metabolic profiling reveals that macrophage efferocytic capacity relies on a non-canonical transaminase pathway, independent from the traditional requirement of glutamate dehydrogenase to fuel ɑ-ketoglutarate-dependent immunometabolism. This pathway is necessary to meet the unique requirements of efferocytosis for cellular detoxification and high-energy cytoskeletal rearrangements. Thus, we uncover a role for non-canonical glutamine metabolism for efficient clearance of dying cells and maintenance of tissue homeostasis during health and disease in mouse and humans.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1313-1326 |
Number of pages | 29 |
Journal | Nature Metabolism |
Volume | 3 |
Issue number | 10 |
Early online date | 14 Oct 2021 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Oct 2021 |
Keywords
- ELECTRON-TRANSPORT
- CELL
- METABOLISM
- MITOCHONDRIA
- EXPRESSION
- PROMOTES
- MOUSE