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. 2016 Mar 9;22:162–172. doi: 10.2119/molmed.2015.00250

Plumbagin Protects Mice from Lethal Sepsis by Modulating Immunometabolism Upstream of PKM2

Zhaoxia Zhang 1, Wenjun Deng 2, Rui Kang 3, Min Xie 2, Timothy Billiar 3, Haichao Wang 4, Lizhi Cao 2, Daolin Tang 3,5
PMCID: PMC5004715  PMID: 26982513

Abstract

Sepsis is characterized by dysregulated systemic inflammation with release of early (for example, interleukin (IL)-1β) and late (for example, HMGB1) proinflammatory mediators from macrophages. Plumbagin, a medicinal plant-derived naphthoquinone, has been reported to exhibit antiinflammatory activity, but the underling mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we have demonstrated that plumbagin inhibits the inflammatory response through interfering with the immunometabolism pathway in activated macrophages. Remarkably, plumbagin inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced aerobic glycolysis by downregulating the expression of pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), a protein kinase responsible for the final and rate-limiting reaction step of the glycolytic pathway. Moreover, the NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4)-mediated oxidative stress was required for LPS-induced PKM2 expression, because pharmacologic or genetic inhibition of NOX4 by plumbagin or RNA interference limited LPS-induced PKM2 expression, lactate production and subsequent proinflammatory cytokine (IL-1β and HMGB1) release in macrophages. Finally, plumbagin protected mice from lethal endotoxemia and polymicrobial sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture. These findings identify a new approach for inhibiting the NOX4/PKM2-dependent immunometabolism pathway in the treatment of sepsis and inflammatory diseases.

INTRODUCTION

Bacterial infections leading to sepsis and septic shock remain a major reason for admission to intensive care units (1). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the major component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, is a critical activator of macrophage release of proinflammatory mediators such as interleukin (IL)-1β and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1). In contrast to early proinflammatory cytokines (for example, IL-1β) (2), HMGB1 is released by macrophages in a delayed manner, and thus functions as a late mediator of lethal sepsis (3). In addition to its direct proinflammatory activity, extracellular HMGB1 can also amplify the inflammatory response evoked by multiple pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and other damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) (4). These immunostimulatory properties and kinetics of its delayed release make HMGB1 a promising therapeutic target for sepsis (5,6).

To better understand the complicated pathogenesis of sepsis, it is important to define intricate molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways underlying the regulation of HMGB1 release and proinflammatory activities. As tightly regulated processes, the innate immune response and metabolism are highly integrated (7–9). When oxygen supply is limited, aerobic glycolysis enables the conversion of glucose to pyruvate with the involvement of several enzymes including pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), a protein kinase for the final and rate-limiting reaction step of the glycolytic pathway. We recently demonstrated that PKM2 is markedly upregulated in activated macrophages and that PKM2-mediated aerobic glycolysis contributes the pathogenesis of sepsis through the regulated release of HMGB1 (10). However, the mechanism underlying the dramatic upregulation of PKM2 expression remains undefined.

Plumbagin (5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1, 4-naphthoquinone) is a quinone isolated from the roots of Plumbago zeylanica. At higher doses, plumbagin ( >30 μmol/L) induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in some cancer cells (11,12). In contrast, low-dose plumbagin ( >5 μmol/L) cannot induce cell death, but exhibits antiinflammatory activity in macrophages and T cells (13–15). In this study, we provide new evidence regarding the antiinflammatory function of plumbagin and its mechanism of action in macrophages. We demonstrate that plumbagin attenuates LPS-induced HMGB1 release in macrophages by inhibiting NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4)-mediated PKM2 expression. These findings significantly enhance the understanding of the functional consequences of immunometabolism in sepsis and identify a potentially new targeted therapy to reduce the morbidity of sepsis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Reagents

The antibodies to PKM2 (#4053) and actin (#3700) were obtained from Cell Signaling Technology. The antibody to NOX4 (#UOTR1B493) was obtained from Abcam. LPS (Escherichia coli LPS 0111:B4; #L4391), 2DG (#D8375) and plumbagin (#P7262) were obtained from Sigma. GKT137831 (#S7171) was obtained from Selleck Chemicals.

Cell Culture

Mouse peritoneal macrophages (PMs) and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) were isolated from Balb/C mice as previously described (16,17). For isolation of PMs, normal mice were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with 1.5 mL of 3% Brewer’s thioglycollate broth for 3 d. Primary PMs were collected from euthanized normal or sepsis animals by peritoneal lavage using 10 mL of ice cold RPMI supplemented with 2% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 1 unit/mL heparin and penicillin/streptomycin. Cells were washed using lavage media without heparin and plated in macrophage culture media of Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated FBS and penicillin/streptomycin and incubated at 37°C at 5% CO2 for 2 h. Cultures were washed three times with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) to remove non-adherent cells and retain adherent cells (PMs) in the culture media.

For isolation of BMDMs, bone marrow cells were isolated from femurs and tibias. Cells were then incubated for 7 d, the period required for bone marrow cells to differentiate into macrophages, in DMEM containing 10% FBS and supplemented with 30% L929 medium. The medium was replenished on the fourth day. Cultures were washed three times with PBS to remove non-adherent cells and retain adherent cells (BMDMs) in the culture media.

Oxidative Phosphorylation and Glycolysis Assay

Cellular OXPHOS and glycolysis were monitored using the Seahorse Bioscience Extracellular Flux Analyzer (XF24) by measuring the oxygen consumption rate (OCR) (indicative of respiration) and the extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) (indicative of glycolysis) (18,19). Briefly, 30,000 to 50,000 cells were seeded in 24-well plates designed for XF24 in 150 μL of appropriate growth media and incubated overnight. Prior to measurements, cells were washed with unbuffered media once, then immersed in 675 μL unbuffered media and incubated in the absence of CO2 for 1 h. OCR and ECAR were then measured in a typical 8-min cycle of mix (2 to 4 min), dwell (2 min) and measurement (2 to 4 min) by using Mito Stress Test Kit (Part # 103015-100; Oligomycin, 100 μM; carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone [FCCP], 100 μmol/L; Rotenone/antimycin A; 50 μmol/L) and Glycolysis Stress Test Kit (Part # 103020-100; Glucose, 10 mM; Oligomycin, 1 μM; 2-DG, 50 μmol/L) from Seahorse Bioscience.

Cytokine Measurements

Commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were used to measure the concentrations of HMGB1 and IL-1β in serum or the culture medium according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

RNAi and Gene Transfection

Transfection with NOX4-shRNA-1 (5’-CCGGG CATCA AATAA CCACC TGTAT CTCGA GATAC AGGTG GTTAT TTGAT GCTTT TTG-3’), NOX4-shRNA-2 (5’-CCGGG CCAGT ATATT ATTCT CCATT CTCGA GAATG GAGAA TAATA TACTG GCTTT TTG-3’) and control shRNA (SHC001) from Sigma were performed using MISSION shRNA Lentiviral Transduction. Transfection with mouse pCMV6-NOX4 cDNA from OriGene Technologies (#MC219182) was performed using the Neon™ Transfection System according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Western Blot Analysis

Proteins in cell lysates were first resolved by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and then transferred to nitrocellulose membrane and subsequently incubated with the primary antibody as previously described (20). After incubation with peroxidase-conjugated secondary antibodies, the signals were visualized using enhanced chemiluminescence according to the manufacturer’s instruction. Native gel electrophoresis assays were performed to evaluate the formation of dimeric PKM2.

Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Total RNA was extracted using TRI reagent according to the manufacturer’s instructions. First-strand cDNA was synthesized from 1 μg of RNA using the iScript cDNA Synthesis kit. cDNA from various cell samples was amplified by real-time quantitative PCR with specific primers (PKM2: 5’-TCGCA TGCAG CACCT GATT-3’ and 5’-CCTCG AATAG CTGCA AGTGG TA-3’) and the data was normalized to 18S ribosomal RNA (5’-CTTAG AGGGA CAAGT GGCG-3’ and 5’-ACGCT GAGCC AGTCA GTGTA-3’).

Lactate and Phosphoenolpyruvate Assay

Lactate in the culture medium or serum was measured with colorimetric L-Lactate Assay Kit according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) production was measured using a PEP fluorometric assay kit according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

NOX Activity Assay

NOX activity was measured by lucigenin chemiluminescence assay as previously described (21). Briefly, cultured cells were homogenized in lysis buffer (20 mmol/L KH2PO4, pH 7.0, 1 mmol/L ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid (EGTA), 1 mmol/L phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, 10 μg/mL aprotinin and 0.5 μg/mL leupeptin). Aliquots (100 μL) of homogenates were then added to 900 μL of 50 mmol/L phosphate buffer, pH 7.0, containing 1 mmol/L EGTA, 150 mmol/L sucrose, 5 μmol/L lucigenin and 100 μmol/L NADPH. The photon emission for NOX-mediated superoxide anion production was measured using a luminometer.

Animal Model of Endotoxemia and Sepsis

This study was approved and performed in accordance with guidelines for the care and use of laboratory animals at Central South University, Changsha, China. Endotoxemia was induced in Balb/C mice (male, 7 to 8 wks old, 20 to 25 g weight) by i.p. injection of bacterial endotoxin (LPS, 5 mg/kg) as previously described (3,22). Sepsis was induced in male Balb/C mice (male, 7 to 8 wks old, 20 to 25 g weight) by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) as previously described (3,22–24). Briefly, anesthesia was induced with 5% halothane and maintained with 2% halothane. A small midline abdominal incision was made and the cecum was exteriorized and ligated with 4-0 silk immediately distal to the ileocecal valve without causing intestinal obstruction. The cecum was then punctured once with an 18 gauge needle. The abdomen was closed in two layers, and the mice were injected subcutaneously with 1 mL of 0.9% NaCl including analgesia (0.05 mg/kg buprenorphine). After CLP, mice did not receive antibiotics.

Plumbagin was dissolved in vehicle (10% DMSO, 20% cremophor:ethanol [3:1] and 70% PBS) and administered i.p. to mice at the indicated time points. Blood was collected at indicated time points, allowed to clot for 2 h at room temperature and then centrifuged for 15 min at 1,500 × g. Serum samples were stored at –20°C before analysis. Mortality was recorded for up to 2 to 3 wks after the onset of lethal endotoxemia or sepsis to ensure that no additional late deaths occurred.

Statistical Analysis

Data are expressed as means ± SEM of three independent experiments. Significance of differences between groups was determined using ANOVA LSD test. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare differences in mortality rates between groups. Analysis was performed using SigmaPlot 11.0. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

All supplementary materials are available online at www.molmed.org.

RESULTS

Plumbagin Inhibits Aerobic Glycolysis in Activated Macrophages

To investigate whether plumbagin affects aerobic glycolysis, we evaluated oxidative phosphorylation (as measured by OCR) and glycolysis (as measured by ECAR) in activated BMDMs following LPS (100 ng/mL) treatment. At low doses (1 to 3 μmol/L), plumbagin did not affect cell viability (Figure 1A), but significantly inhibited the LPS-induced switch from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis in a dose-dependent manner (Figures 1B, C). Two-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) is a widely-used competitive inhibitor of the first hexokinase (HK) of the glycolytic pathway (25). Consistent with previous studies (10,26,27), 2-DG also inhibited the LPS-induced switch from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis (Figures 1B, C). We further analyzed the levels of glycolytic metabolites (for example, phosphoenolpyruvate [PEP] and lactate) in macrophages. As expected, both plumbagin and 2-DG inhibited the increase of PEP and lactate levels in LPS-stimulated BMDMs and PMs (Figure 1D). These findings indicate that plumbagin inhibits LPS-induced aerobic glycolysis in activated macrophages.

Figure 1.

Figure 1.

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Plumbagin inhibits aerobic glycolysis in activated macrophages. (A) Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) were treated with plumbagin (1 and 3 μmol/L) for 24 h, and cell viability was analyzed. (B–C) BMDMs and peritoneal macrophages (PMs) were pretreated with plumbagin and 2DG for 1 h and then stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (100 ng/mL) for 2 or 24 h. After the drug treatment ended, the cells were changed to fresh culture medium and then the oxygen consumption rates (OCR, indicative of oxidative phosphorylation) and extracellular acidification rates (ECAR, indicative of glycolysis) were monitored using the Mito Stress Test Kit (Oligomycin “Olg,” 100 μmol/L; FCCP, 100 μmol/L; Rotenone/antimycin A “A/R,” 50 μmol/L) and Glycolysis Stress Test Kit (Glucose “Glu,” 10 mM; Oligomycin “Olg,” 1 μmol/L; 2-DG, 50 μmol/L) by Seahorse Bioscience Extracellular Flux Analyzer. (D) In parallel, phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) and lactate levels were assayed using commercial kits (n = 3, *, p < 0.05 versus LPS group).

Plumbagin Inhibits PKM2 Expression in Activated Macrophages

Our previous study demonstrated that the upregulation of PKM2 is required for LPS-induced glycolysis in macrophages (10). To investigate whether plumbagin inhibits aerobic glycolysis through regulating PKM2 expression, we analyzed the mRNA and protein levels of PKM2 in activated BMDMs and PMs. Remarkably, plumbagin dose-dependently suppressed LPS-induced PKM2 expression at both mRNA (Figure 2A) and protein levels (Figure 2B). In contrast, plumbagin did not affect LPS-induced HK-1 mRNA expression (Figure 2C). Consistent with previous studies (10,26), the protein expression of PKM1 did not change in macrophages following LPS treatment (Figure 2B). In addition to monomeric PKM2, dimeric PKM2 is a transcription cofactor of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α (HIF1α), which contributes to aerobic glycolysis. We previously demonstrated that knockdown of PKM2 inhibited LPS-induced HIF1α activity in macrophages (10). As expected, native gel electrophoresis assay showed that plumbagin inhibited LPS-induced formation of dimeric PKM2 (Figure 2D). These findings suggest that plumbagin inhibits aerobic glycolysis partly through downregulating PKM2 expression in activated macrophages.

Figure 2.

Figure 2.

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Plumbagin inhibits PKM2 expression in activated macrophages. (A–C) Indicated macrophages were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (100 ng/mL) in the absence or presence of plumbagin for 24 h. The mRNA or protein levels of PKM2 (A-B) or HK-1 (C) were assayed using Q-PCR and western blot, respectively (n = 3, *, p < 0.05 versus LPS group). (D) Native gel electrophoresis was performed using whole-cell extracts from BMDMs after treatment with LPS (100 ng/mL) and/or plumbagin (3 μmol/L) for 24 h.

NOX4 Is Required for PKM2 Expression in Glycolysis

NOX4 is a constitutively active multi-subunit enzyme that generates superoxide from molecular oxygen using NADPH as the electron donor (28). It acts as an oxygen sensor and catalyzes the reduction of molecular oxygen to various reactive oxygen species (ROS) in macrophages (29). Given that plumbagin is a potent inhibitor of NOX4 activity (30–32), we next investigated whether NOX4-mediated oxidative stress is required for PKM2 expression in activated macrophages. Knockdown of NOX4 by two different specific NOX4-shRNAs in BMDMs and PMs (Figure 3A) significantly inhibited LPS-induced ROS generation, PKM2 mRNA expression, and lactate production (Figure 3B). Moreover, GKT137831, a novel NOX1/NOX4 inhibitor (33,34), also suppressed LPS-induced PKM2 mRNA expression and lactate production (Figure 3C) in BMDMs. Thus, the activation of NOX4 is required for LPS-induced PKM2 mRNA expression and subsequent aerobic glycolysis in macrophages.

Figure 3.

Figure 3.

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NOX4 is required for PKM2 expression in glycolysis. (A) Western blot analysis of NOX4 expression in control and PKM2 shRNA-treated bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and peritoneal macrophages (PMs). (B) Indicated macrophages were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (100 ng/mL) for 24 h. Relative reactive oxygen species (ROS), PKM2 mRNA, and lactate were assayed (n = 3, *, p< 0.05 versus control shRNA group). (C) Indicated macrophages were treated with LPS (100 ng/mL) in the absence or presence of GKT137831 (1 μmol/L) for 24 h. PKM2 mRNA and lactate levels were assayed (n = 3, *, p < 0.05 versus LPS group).

NOX4 Is Required for IL-1β and HMGB1 Release in Activated Macrophages

We previously demonstrated that pharmacologic and genetic inhibition of PKM2 attenuated LPS-induced IL-1β and HMGB1 release in macrophages (10). We therefore determined whether inhibition of NOX4 expression and activity also affects the release of these cytokines in macrophages. Suppression of NOX4 expression by specific shRNA significantly reduced LPS-induced IL-1β and HMGB1 release at early and late stages, respectively (Figure 4A). Similarly, NOX4 inhibitors (plumbagin and GKT137831) also limited LPS-induced IL-1β and HMGB1 release in macrophages (Figure 4B).

Figure 4.

Figure 4.

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NOX4 is required for IL-1β and HMGB1 release in activated macrophages. (A) Indicated macrophages were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (100 ng/mL) and IL-1β levels at 2 h and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) at 24 h in supernatants were assayed using ELISA (n = 3, *, p < 0.05 versus control shRNA group). (B) Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) were treated with LPS (100 ng/mL) in the absence or presence of plumbagin (3 μmol/L) and GKT137831 (1 μmol/L) and the levels of IL-1β at 2 h and HMGB1 at 24 h in supernatants were assayed using ELISA (n = 3, *, p < 0.05 versus LPS group). (C–D) Plumbagin (3 μmol/L) inhibited LPS (100 ng/mL)-induced PKM2 mRNA expression and indicated cytokine release in NOX4-overexpressed BMDMs (n = 3, *, p < 0.05).

We next investigated whether overexpression of NOX4 expression affects the expression of PKM2 and release of cytokines in macrophages. Indeed, overexpression of NOX4 by gene transfection (Figure 4C) increased LPS-induced PKM2 mRNA expression and cytokine (IL-1β and HMGB1) release in BMDMs at early or late stages. This process in NOX4-overexpressed cells can be blocked by plumbagin. Collectively, these findings support a novel role of NOX4 in the regulation of proinflammatory cytokine release by modulating PKM2 expression.

Plumbagin Protects Mice from Endotoxic Shock and Sepsis

Given that plumbagin has been used in clinical trials (35), we determined whether plumbagin protects mice against lethal endotoxemia by inhibiting cytokine release. Repetitive administration of plumbagin at –0.5, +12 and +24 h following the onset of endotoxemia (5 mg/kg LPS, i.p.) conferred significant protection against lethal endotoxemia (Figure 5A). Serum levels of lactate (Figure 5B), IL-1β (Figure 5C), TNF (Figure 5D), HMGB1 (Figure 5E) and mRNA expression of PKM2 (Figure 5F), and NOX activity (Figure 5G) in PMs isolated from endotoxemic mice were lower after administration of plumbagin. As expected, ECAR showed that PMs isolated from the plumbagin treatment group had lower levels of glycolysis (Figure 5H).

Figure 5.

Figure 5.

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Plumbagin protects mice from endotoxic shock. (A) Mice (n = 20/group) were injected with a single dose of plumbagin (4 mg/kg), followed 30 min later by an infusion of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS], 5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), and were then re-treated with plumbagin 12 and 24 h later. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare the differences in survival rates between groups (*, p < 0.05). (B–H) In parallel experiments, serum levels of lactate (B), IL-1β (C), TNF (D), HMGB1 (E), PKM2 mRNA (F), NOX activity (G) and ECAR (H) in isolated peritoneal macrophages at indicated time points were measured (n = 3–5 animals/group, values are mean ± SEM, *, p < 0.05).

We then used the CLP sepsis model to evaluate the ability of plumbagin to protect mice from polymicrobial intra-abdominal sepsis. At +24, +48 and +72 h following the onset of sepsis, animals were given plumbagin or vehicle (i.p.). Plumbagin rescued mice from CLP-induced lethal sepsis, even if given after the onset of sepsis (Figure 6A). The serum levels of lactate (Figure 6B) and HMGB1 (Figure 6C), as well as PKM2 mRNA expression (Figure 6D) and NOX activity (Figure 6E) in PMs, were significantly lower in the group receiving plumbagin treatment following CLP. The serum level of early cytokines such as IL-1β did not change at the late stage of CLP (Figure 6F). In addition, ECAR showed that the PMs isolated from the plumbagin treatment group had lower levels of glycolysis (Figure 6G).

Figure 6.

Figure 6.

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Delayed treatment with plumbagin protects mice from sepsis. (A) The cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) technique was used to induce intraabdominal sepsis in mice (n = 20/group). Repeated administration of plumbagin (4 mg/kg) at 24, 48, and 72 h after CLP significantly increased survival compared with vehicle group (*, p < 0.05), as measured by Kaplan-Meier test. (B-G) In parallel experiments, serum levels of lactate (B), IL-1β (F), HMGB1 (C) and PKM2 mRNA (D), NOX activity (E) and ECAR (G) in isolated peritoneal macrophages at indicated time points were measured (n = 3–5 animals/group, values are mean ± SEM, *, p < 0.05).

Next, we determined whether pretreatment with plumbagin prevents CLP-mediated sepsis. Repetitive administration of plumbagin at –2 and +6 h following the onset of sepsis conferred significant protection against CLP-induced lethal sepsis (Supplementary Figure S1A) with decreased serum levels of lactate (Supplementary Figure S1B), IL-1β (Supplementary Figure S1C), TNF (Supplementary Figure S1D) and HMGB1 (Supplementary Figure S1E) at early and late stages. Moreover, the mRNA expression of PKM2 (Supplementary Figure S1F), NOX activity (Supplementary Figure S1G) and ECAR (Supplementary Figure S1H) in PMs isolated from CLP mice were lower after administration of plumbagin.

Collectively, these findings suggest that plumbagin protects against experimental lethal endotoxic shock and sepsis partly by inhibiting glycolysis-mediated proinflammatory cytokine release.

DISCUSSION

Sepsis is defined as infection with a systemic proinflammatory response and remains a major cause of mortality worldwide (36). In this study, we demonstrated that plumbagin significantly inhibits the systemic release of both early (IL-1β) and late (HMGB1) cytokines, which are known to mediate the lethality of sepsis. The plumbagin-mediated protection is partly attributable to its inhibition of NOX4-mediated PKM2 expression and aerobic glycolysis. These findings provide a novel mechanism by which plumbagin exerts its antiinflammatory actions partly by modulating an immunometabolism in innate immune cells.

Aerobic glycolysis (also termed the Warburg effect) enables the conversion of glucose to lactate for ATP generation, even in the presence of normal levels of oxygen (37). This process was first observed in tumor cells to meet their increased energy needs for rapid proliferation. Like cancer cells, immune cells, including macrophages, dendritic cells and T cells, also switch their energy production pathway from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis under inflammatory conditions (38–40). Inhibition of aerobic glycolysis limits LPS-induced macrophage activation and proinflammatory cytokine (for example, IL-1β and HMGB1) release (10,26,27). These data suggest that immune cell activation in response to infection is a metabolic reprogramming event. Targeting aerobic glycolysis might be a new strategy for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Plumbagin has been safely used for centuries in Indian and Chinese medicine as an anti-microbial, antiinflammatory and anticancer agent (41). Previous studies indicate that the antiinflammatory effects of plumbagin attributable to the inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear factor (NF)-κB (13–15) or activation of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (42). Our current studies suggest that plumbagin can also suppress PKM2 expression in a NOX4-dependent manner. It has been recently shown that increased PKM2 expression promotes the metabolism of glucose by aerobic glycolysis and contributes to anabolic metabolism in macrophages (10,26). Here, we demonstrated that plumbagin inhibited aerobic glycolysis and the release of IL-1β and HMGB1 in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, PKM2 regulates IL-1β and HMGB1 release in a different manner. Monomeric or dimeric PKM2 can translocate to the nucleus, where it will interact with HIF1α to promote IL-1β transcription (26). In contrast, PKM2 promotes HMGB1 release in a transcription-independent manner (10). The elevated production of lactate from PKM2-mediated glycolysis inhibits histone deacetylase activity and promotes HMGB1 acetylation, a critical event triggering HMGB1 translocation from the nucleus to the cytosol, and is then released to the extracellular space (10).

NOX4 is a constitutive NADPH oxidase that binds to p22phox for generating superoxide in many cells including endothelial cells, fibroblasts, monocytes and macrophages. The activation of NOX4 is needed to modulate the redox signaling pathways involved in cell death, metabolism, and inflammation. For example, NOX4 is activated following cellular energy stress, and NOX4-dependent ROS production promotes autophagy in cardiomyocytes (43). Our study indicates that the activation of NOX4 is required for LPS-induced PKM2 expression in macrophages. Like knockdown of NOX4 by shRNA, pharmacological inhibition of NOX4 activity by plumbagin and GKT137831 also attenuates LPS-induced PKM2 expression, aerobic glycolysis, and proinflammatory cytokine (IL-1β and HMGB1) release. Our current study cannot exclude the possibility that plumbagin attenuates IL-1β secretion partly by inhibiting NF-κB activation, which is required for increased PKM2 expression in epidermal growth factor-induced glycolysis in cancer cells (44). Furthermore, NOX4 is required for activation of NF-κB in response to hypoxia and LPS (45,46). It is possible that the NOX4-mediated PKM2 expression may depend on the activation of NF-κB in LPS-induced macrophages.

CONCLUSION

In summary, we provide compelling evidence to support a novel mechanism and therapeutic potential for plumbagin in regulating PKM2-dependent glycolysis and protection of mice against lethal endotoxemia and sepsis. Plumbagin protected mice from lethal endotoxemia and polymicrobial sepsis partly through inhibiting glycolysis and proinflammatory cytokine release. Results from this study also show a novel role of NOX4 in immunometabolism by modulating PKM2 expression. Thus, pharmacological targeting of the NOX4/PKM2 pathway may be an attractive therapeutic strategy for the clinical management of sepsis and other inflammatory conditions.

Supplementary Material

Click here for additional data file. (391.2KB, pdf)

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank Christine Heiner (Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh) for her critical reading of the manuscript. This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health of USA (R01GM115366 and R01CA160417 to DT; R01AT005076 and R01GM063075 to HW; and R01GM44100 to TB), grants from The National Natural Sciences Foundation of China (30973234 and 31171328 to LC), a grant from the Medical Scientific Research Foundation of the Guangdong Province of China (A2013585 to ZZ), and the National Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong (2016A030308 to DT).

Footnotes

Online address: http://www.molmed.org

DISCLOSURE

The authors declare that they have no competing interests as defined by Molecular Medicine, or other interests that might be perceived to influence the results and discussion reported in this paper.

Cite this article as: Zhang Z, et al. (2016) Plumbagin protects mice from lethal sepsis by modulating immunometabolism upstream of PKM2. Mol. Med. 22:162–72.

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