Cholesteryl hemiesters alter lysosome structure and function and induce proinflammatory cytokine production in macrophages.

RATIONALE: Cholesteryl hemiesters are oxidation products of polyunsaturated fatty acid esters of cholesterol. Their oxo-ester precursors have been identified as important components of the "core aldehydes" of human atheromata and in oxidized lipoproteins (Ox-LDL). We had previously shown, for the first time, that a single compound of this family, cholesteryl hemisuccinate (ChS), is sufficient to cause irreversible lysosomal lipid accumulation (lipidosis), and is toxic to macrophages. These features, coupled to others such as inflammation, are typically seen in atherosclerosis. OBJECTIVE: To obtain insights into the mechanism of cholesteryl hemiester-induced pathological changes in lysosome function and induction of inflammation in vitro and assess their impact in vivo. METHODS AND RESULTS: We have examined the effects of ChS on macrophages (murine cell lines and primary cultures) in detail. Specifically, lysosomal morphology, pH, and proteolytic capacity were examined. Exposure of macrophages to sub-toxic ChS concentrations caused enlargement of the lysosomes, changes in their luminal pH, and accumulation of cargo in them. In primary mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM), ChS-exposure increased the secretion of IL-1ß, TNF-α and IL-6. In zebrafish larvae (wild-type AB and PU.1:EGFP), fed with a ChS-enriched diet, we observed lipid accumulation, myeloid cell-infiltration in their vasculature and decrease in larval survival. Under the same conditions the effects of ChS were more profound than the effects of free cholesterol (FC). CONCLUSIONS: Our data strongly suggest that cholesteryl hemiesters are pro-atherogenic lipids able to mimic features of Ox-LDL both in vitro and in vivo.

Maturation of phagosomes containing different erythrophagocytic particles in primary macrophages.

Erythrophagocytosis is a physiological process that aims to remove damaged red blood cells from the circulation in order to avoid hemolysis and uncontrolled liberation of iron. Many efforts have been made to understand heme trafficking inside macrophages, but little is known about the maturation of phagosomes containing different types of erythrophagocytic particles with different signals at their surfaces. Therefore, we performed a comparative study on the maturation of phagosomes containing three different models of red blood cells (RBC): aged/senescent, complement-opsonized, and IgG-opsonized. We also used two types of professional phagocytes: bone marrow-derived and peritoneal macrophages. By comparing markers from different stages of phagosomal maturation, we found that phagosomes carrying aged RBC reach lysosomes with a delay compared to those containing IgG- or complement-opsonized RBC, in both types of macrophages. These findings contribute to understanding the importance of the different signals at the RBC surface in phagolysosome biogenesis, as well as in the dynamics of RBC removal.

Involvement of the p62/NRF2 signal transduction pathway on erythrophagocytosis.

Erythrophagocytosis, the phagocytic removal of damaged red blood cells (RBC), and subsequent phagolysosome biogenesis are important processes in iron/heme metabolism and homeostasis. Phagolysosome biogenesis implies the interaction of nascent phagosomes with endocytic compartments and also autophagy effectors. Here, we report that besides recruitment of microtubule-associated protein-1-light chain 3 (LC3), additional autophagy machinery such as sequestosome 1 (p62) is also acquired by single-membrane phagosomes at very early stages of the phagocytic process and that its acquisition is very important to the outcome of the process. In bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) silenced for p62, RBC degradation is inhibited. P62, is also required for nuclear translocation and activation of the transcription factor Nuclear factor E2-related Factor 2 (NRF2) during erythrophagocytosis. Deletion of the Nrf2 allele reduces p62 expression and compromises RBC degradation. In conclusion, we reveal that erythrophagocytosis relies on an interplay between p62 and NRF2, potentially acting as protective mechanism to maintain reactive oxygen species at basal levels and preserve macrophage homeostasis.