Project description:The resolution of inflammation is an active process that is coordinated by endogenous mediators. Previous studies have demonstrated the immunomodulatory properties of the axonal guidance proteins in the initial phase of acute inflammation. We hypothesized that the neuronal guidance protein neogenin (Neo1) modulates mechanisms of inflammation resolution. In murine peritonitis, Neo1 deficiency (Neo1-/-) resulted in higher efficacies in reducing neutrophil migration into injury sites, increasing neutrophil apoptosis, actuating PMN phagocytosis, and increasing the endogenous biosynthesis of specialized proresolving mediators, such as lipoxin A4, maresin-1, and protectin DX. Neo1 expression was limited to Neo1-expressing Ly6Chi monocytes, and Neo1 deficiency induced monocyte polarization toward an antiinflammatory and proresolving phenotype. Signaling network analysis revealed that Neo1-/- monocytes mediate their immunomodulatory effects specifically by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway and suppressing the TGF-β pathway. In a cohort of 59 critically ill, intensive care unit (ICU) pediatric patients, we found a strong correlation between Neo1 blood plasma levels and abdominal compartment syndrome, Pediatric Risk of Mortality III (PRISM-III) score, and ICU length of stay and mortality. Together, these findings identify a crucial role for Neo1 in regulating tissue regeneration and resolution of inflammation, and determined Neo1 to be a predictor of morbidity and mortality in critically ill children affected by clinical inflammation.
Project description:Protein and phosphorylation (TGF-β Phospho Antibody Array, FullMoonBioscience, #PTG176) profiling of peritoneal monocytes (pooled lavages from 4 mice / condition) was carried out according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Project description:Recent findings have highlighted the complex role of inflammation in zebrafish heart regeneration, demonstrating that while inflammation is essential for initiating transient fibrosis and tissue repair, chronic inflammation and unresolved fibrosis could impede full regenerative recovery. In this study, we identified the nuclear receptor Nr4a1 as a critical regulator of this regenerative process in zebrafish. Loss of Nr4a1 function led to a prolonged and excessive inflammatory response, disrupted neutrophil migration, delayed fibrin clearance, and ultimately impaired heart regeneration. Transcriptome-wide RNA-seq analysis at different injury stages revealed molecular disruptions associated with dysregulated inflammation and fibrosis in Nr4a1 mutants. Notably, partial inhibition of the pro-inflammatory cytokine Tnf-α rescued heart regeneration in the nr4a1 mutants, highlighting the therapeutic potential of modulating inflammation. Our findings suggest that Nr4a1 plays a crucial role in orchestrating the immune response during heart regeneration and may serve as a valuable target for enhancing cardiac repair following injury.
Project description:Alternatively activated macrophages (AAMs) contribute to the resolution of inflammation and tissue repair. However, molecular pathways that govern their differentiation upon tissue damage have remained incompletely understood. Here, we show that the transcription factor GATA3 specifically controls the IL-4-independent differentiation of pro-resolving and reparative AAMs in response to injury and the necrotic cell-derived alarmin IL-33. In macrophages, IL-33 sequentially triggered an early expression of pro-inflammatory genes as well as a subsequent differentiation into AAMs. Global analysis of involved signaling events identified an IL-33-induced GATA-3 transcriptional module that specifically orchestrated AAM differentiation. IL-4-induced AAM differentiation, in contrast, was independent of GATA-3. Conditional deletion of GATA-3 in mononuclear phagocytes accordingly abrogated IL-33-induced differentiation of AAMs in vitro and diminished macrophage-mediated tissue repair in vivo. Our data thus identify an IL-33-GATA3 signaling axis that controls plasticity of macrophages in response to injury and fosters resolution of inflammation.
Project description:Alternatively activated macrophages (AAMs) contribute to the resolution of inflammation and tissue repair. However, molecular pathways that govern their differentiation upon tissue damage have remained incompletely understood. Here, we show that the transcription factor GATA3 specifically controls the IL-4-independent differentiation of pro-resolving and reparative AAMs in response to injury and the necrotic cell-derived alarmin IL-33. In macrophages, IL-33 sequentially triggered an early expression of pro-inflammatory genes as well as a subsequent differentiation into AAMs. Global analysis of involved signaling events identified an IL-33-induced GATA-3 transcriptional module that specifically orchestrated AAM differentiation. IL-4-induced AAM differentiation, in contrast, was independent of GATA-3. Conditional deletion of GATA-3 in mononuclear phagocytes accordingly abrogated IL-33-induced differentiation of AAMs in vitro and diminished macrophage-mediated tissue repair in vivo. Our data thus identify an IL-33-GATA3 signaling axis that controls plasticity of macrophages in response to injury and fosters resolution of inflammation.