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Growth hormone-mediated reprogramming of macrophage transcriptome and effector functions
Augusto Schneider1,2, Hillary N Wood2, Sandra Geden2
1Faculdade de Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
Scientific Reports
|December 20, 2019
Summary
Growth hormone (GH) activates macrophages, similar to interferon-gamma (IFNγ). This study reveals GH impacts macrophage antimicrobial functions, suggesting a role in immune response and age-related decline.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Macrophages are crucial for innate immunity, with activation typically stimulated by cytokines like interferon-gamma (IFNγ).
- Growth hormone (GH) has also been observed to stimulate macrophage activation, suggesting a potential role beyond its known metabolic functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the transcriptome profiles of macrophages activated by GH versus IFNγ.
- To evaluate the functional impact of GH on macrophage properties, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and phagosomal proteolysis.
Main Methods:
- Bone marrow-derived macrophages were treated in vitro with either GH or IFNγ.
- Transcriptome profiling was performed to analyze gene expression changes.
- Functional assays were employed to measure ROS production and phagosomal proteolysis.
Main Results:
- GH and IFNγ share overlapping pathways involved in innate immune sensing and antimicrobial responses.
- GH treatment significantly altered macrophage transcriptome profiles, indicating a role in immune cell programming.
- Functional assays demonstrated that GH impacts key macrophage activities like ROS production and proteolysis within phagosomes.
Conclusions:
- GH plays a significant role in macrophage priming and maturation, overlapping with IFNγ-induced pathways.
- GH influences critical macrophage functions, potentially impacting antimicrobial capacity, signaling, and antigen presentation.
- The decline of GH with age may contribute to impaired macrophage function observed in aging populations.
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