Respite for macrophages
How is waste disposed of after inflammation? This was the subject of a study conducted by a group of scientists led by Professor Gerhard Krenke from Friedrich-Alexander University in Erlangen and Nuremberg. It showed that inflammatory reactions can be stopped by changes in the metabolism of macrophages, and alarms released by cells damaged during inflammation play a role in this process. "Reprogramming" of mitochondria in macrophages helps to improve waste disposal, protecting them from overload, and timely complete the inflammatory reaction.
Inflammation is a natural and vital response of the immune system to alarms and tissue damage. Inflammatory processes help the body eliminate the cause of damage, for example, bacteria, and trigger recovery mechanisms. However, rapid and coordinated cessation of the inflammatory response is equally important, because otherwise there is a risk of developing chronic inflammatory diseases, for example, rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn's disease. One of the important factors for resolving the inflammatory reaction is the removal of damaged and dead cells. If these wastes are allowed to accumulate, new inflammation may occur.
How is the waste of inflammation disposed of
The research team studied the fundamental molecular mechanisms involved in the process of "garbage removal" in the focus of inflammation. Macrophages are able to absorb and digest a large volume of cellular waste. Scientists have demonstrated that interleukin 33 (IL33), an alarm signal that is released from damaged cells, causes persistent changes in the metabolism of macrophages, so that their ability to dispose of waste increases significantly. A large amount of waste generated during the inflammatory reaction creates a huge load on the mitochondria of macrophages, and as a result they produce an increased amount of dangerous free radicals. IL33 regulates the function of mitochondria, initiating the process of dissociation of oxidation and phosphorylation in these cellular components and protecting them from overload. This allows macrophages to "let off steam" and continue to absorb waste without interruption, despite the heavy load on them.
Mitochondrial protection as a new approach to inflammation therapy
The findings of the research group may form the basis of new ways of treating chronic inflammatory diseases. Scientists may be able to accelerate the resolution of inflammatory processes in the long term by affecting the cellular metabolism of macrophages and intentionally separating oxidation and phosphorylation in their mitochondria. Substances affecting the cellular metabolism of macrophages have already been discovered, but they have not yet been approved for use in chronic inflammatory diseases and should be studied in further clinical studies.
Article M.Faas et al. IL-33-induced metabolic reprogramming controls the differentiation of alternatively activated macrophages and the resolution of inflammation published in the journal Immunity.
Aminat Adzhieva, portal "Eternal Youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg: Changes in cell metabolism protect macrophages from overloading and thus assist the resolution of inflammatory reactions.