TRPV4 Regulates the Macrophage Metabolic Response to Limit Sepsis-induced Lung Injury

Erica M Orsini1, Sanjoy Roychowdhury2, Mahesha Gangadhariah2

  • 1Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Integrated Hospital Care Institute, and.

Insights

Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) channels regulate macrophage metabolism and glucose uptake, crucial for resolving sepsis. Targeting TRPV4 may protect lungs from sepsis-induced injury.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Sepsis involves systemic inflammation requiring macrophage metabolic functions.
  • Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) channels influence macrophage responses in lung infections.
  • Macrophage metabolic reprogramming is critical for sepsis resolution.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of TRPV4 in regulating macrophage glycolysis and glucose uptake.
  • To determine TRPV4's involvement in phagolysosome maturation and bacterial clearance during sepsis.
  • To assess the therapeutic potential of targeting TRPV4 in sepsis-induced lung injury.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated TRPV4's regulation of glucose uptake via GLUT1 in macrophages.
  • Utilized a cecal slurry mouse model of sepsis.
  • Measured glycolysis (BALF lactate), lung injury (BALF total protein, lung compliance), and bacterial clearance.

Main Results:

  • TRPV4 regulates glycolysis in a stiffness-dependent manner by enhancing macrophage glucose uptake through GLUT1.
  • TRPV4 is essential for LPS-induced phagolysosome maturation in a GLUT1-dependent manner.
  • In a sepsis model, TRPV4 controlled glycolysis, lung injury, and bacterial clearance, with elevated BALF lactate in human sepsis patients.

Conclusions:

  • Macrophage TRPV4 is vital for glucose uptake via GLUT1, enabling phagolysosome maturation and limiting sepsis-induced lung injury.
  • TRPV4 plays a key role in regulating macrophage metabolism during sepsis.
  • TRPV4 emerges as a potential therapeutic target for protecting the lungs against sepsis-related damage.