Disruption of TIGAR-TAK1 alleviates immunopathology in a murine model of sepsis

Dongdong Wang1,2,3, Yanxia Li1,4, Hao Yang5

  • 1Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.

PubMed

Insights

Macrophage TP53-induced glycolysis and apoptosis regulator (TIGAR) promotes sepsis inflammation. Inhibiting TIGAR-TAK1 interaction offers a potential therapeutic strategy for sepsis by reducing inflammation.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pathophysiology

Background:

  • Macrophage-driven inflammation is central to diseases like sepsis.
  • The precise molecular mechanisms underlying this inflammation require further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of TP53-induced glycolysis and apoptosis regulator (TIGAR) in macrophage-mediated inflammation during sepsis.
  • To identify TIGAR as a potential therapeutic target for sepsis.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized murine sepsis models (lipopolysaccharide and cecal ligation puncture) with myeloid Tigar ablation.
  • Performed mechanistic studies involving TIGAR-TAK1 interaction and ubiquitination assays.
  • Evaluated therapeutic effects of disrupting TIGAR-TAK1 binding using 5Z-7-oxozeaenol.

Main Results:

  • Macrophage TIGAR expression is upregulated in murine sepsis models.
  • Ablation of myeloid Tigar attenuated sepsis and reduced inflammation.
  • TIGAR directly binds to TAK1, promoting its activation via TRAF6-mediated ubiquitination.
  • A specific TIGAR motif (residues 152-161) is critical for TAK1 interaction, independent of phosphatase activity.
  • Disrupting TIGAR-TAK1 interaction demonstrated therapeutic benefits in a male murine sepsis model.

Conclusions:

  • Macrophage TIGAR plays a non-canonical role in promoting inflammation during sepsis.
  • The TIGAR-TAK1 interaction is a key pathway in sepsis-induced inflammation.
  • Targeting the TIGAR-TAK1 interaction presents a novel therapeutic avenue for sepsis treatment.