Serum amyloid P inhibits fibrosis through Fc gamma R-dependent monocyte-macrophage regulation in vivo

Ana P Castaño1, Shuei-Liong Lin, Teresa Surowy

  • 1Laboratory of Inflammation Research, Harvard Institutes of Medicine, 4 Blackfan Circle, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Insights

Therapeutic administration of human serum amyloid P (SAP) inhibits kidney fibrosis progression in mice. This antifibrotic effect is mediated by Fc gamma receptors, inflammatory monocytes, and macrophages, highlighting SAP as a potential therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Nephrology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Chronic organ fibrosis is driven by innate inflammatory cell activation.
  • New therapies targeting chronic inflammation and fibrosis are critically needed.
  • Serum amyloid P (SAP) is a pattern recognition receptor involved in immune responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the antifibrotic potential of human serum amyloid P (SAP) in kidney fibrosis.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms underlying SAP-mediated inhibition of fibrosis, including the role of Fc gamma receptors and inflammatory cells.

Main Methods:

  • Therapeutic administration of human SAP in a mouse model of kidney fibrosis.
  • In vitro and in vivo assessment of inflammatory cell populations (monocytes, macrophages, fibrocytes).
  • Analysis of SAP binding to cell debris and its effect on Fc gamma receptor signaling and interleukin-10 expression.

Main Results:

  • Human SAP significantly inhibited kidney fibrosis progression in mice.
  • SAP-mediated inhibition was dependent on activating Fc gamma receptors, inflammatory monocytes, and macrophages.
  • SAP binding to cell debris suppressed inflammatory monocytes and kidney macrophages, linked to interleukin-10 expression.

Conclusions:

  • Human SAP demonstrates significant antifibrotic effects in the kidney.
  • Fc gamma receptors play a crucial role in SAP-mediated sterile inflammation and fibrosis suppression.
  • Serum amyloid P represents a promising therapeutic candidate for treating fibrotic kidney disease.