Succinate is an inflammatory signal that induces IL-1 beta through HIF-1 alpha

G. M. Tannahill, A. M. Curtis, J. Adamik, E. M. Palsson-McDermott, A. F. McGettrick, G. Goel, C. Frezza, N. J. Bernard, B. Kelly, N. H. Foley, L. Zheng, A. Gardet, Z. Tong, S. S. Jany, S. C. Corr, M. Haneklaus, B. E. Caffrey, K. Pierce, S. Walmsley, F. C. BeasleyE. Cummins, V. Nizet, M. Whyte, C. T. Taylor, H. Lin, S. L. Masters, E. Gottlieb, V. P. Kelly, C. Clish, P. E. Auron, R. J. Xavier, L. A. J. O'Neill*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Macrophages activated by the Gram-negative bacterial product lipopolysaccharide switch their core metabolism from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis(1). Here we show that inhibition of glycolysis with 2-deoxyglucose suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced interleukin-1 beta but not tumour-necrosis factor-a in mouse macrophages. A comprehensive metabolic map of lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages shows upregulation of glycolytic and down-regulation of mitochondrial genes, which correlates directly with the expression profiles of altered metabolites. Lipopolysaccharide strongly increases the levels of the tricarboxylic-acid cycle intermediate succinate. Glutamine-dependent anerplerosis is the principal source of succinate, although the 'GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) shunt' pathway also has a role. Lipopolysaccharide-induced succinate stabilizes hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha, an effect that is inhibited by 2-deoxyglucose, with interleukin-1 beta as an important target. Lipopolysaccharide also increases succinylation of several proteins. We therefore identify succinate as a metabolite in innate immune signalling, which enhances interleukin-1 beta production during inflammation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)238-242
Number of pages6
JournalNature
Volume496
Issue number7444
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11 Apr 2013

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • RECEPTOR GPR91
  • HYPOXIA
  • ACTIVATION
  • PROTEIN
  • CELLS
  • GAMMA
  • LINKS
  • METABOLISM
  • INHIBITION
  • MECHANISM

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