Zip14 expression induced by lipopolysaccharides in macrophages attenuates inflammatory response

We investigated the role and regulation of zinc transporters in the activation of the inflammatory response in macrophages. Our exploratory computational study found that Zip14 (SLC39A14) was consistently up-regulated in activated macrophages; we therefore focused subsequently on that gene in the mechanistic study.

The expression and function of Zip14 was assessed in primary macrophages obtained by in-vitro differentiation of monocytes from human blood.

Primary macrophages were subjected to treatments with lipopolysaccharides, cytokines, chemicals, and pharmacological agents. SLC39A14 and inflammatory cytokine gene expressions were assessed by RT-qPCR. Zip14 siRNA knockdown was performed to explore the gene function.

Lipopolysaccharide's inflammatory stimulus was a strong inducer of SLC39A14 mRNA expression in macrophages. This induction was dependent on calcium signaling, GC-rich DNA-binding, and NF-κB down-regulation. Impregnation of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages with the glucocorticoid dexamethasone further enhanced Zip14 expression while reducing interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α production. Zip14 knockdown in macrophages attenuated the expression and secretion of cytokines, indicating a buffering function for this zinc transporter.

Collectively, our results identified the zinc transporter Zip14 as expressed downstream of lipopolysaccharide signals in macrophages. Zip14 induction had a regulatory function in cytokine production.