Systems-genetics identifies a macrophage cholesterol network associated with physiological wound healing
File(s)Bagnati_Systems genetics identifies_JCI insight.pdf (6.2 MB)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Among other cells, macrophages regulate the inflammatory and reparative phases during wound healing but genetic determinants and detailed molecular pathways that modulate these processes are not fully elucidated. Here, we took advantage of normal variation in wound healing in 1,378 genetically outbred mice, and carried out macrophage RNA-sequencing profiling of mice with extreme wound healing phenotypes (i.e., slow and fast healers, n = 146 in total). The resulting macrophage coexpression networks were genetically mapped and led to the identification of a unique module under strong trans-acting genetic control by the Runx2 locus. This macrophage-mediated healing network was specifically enriched for cholesterol and fatty acid biosynthetic processes. Pharmacological blockage of fatty acid synthesis with cerulenin resulted in delayed wound healing in vivo, and increased macrophage infiltration in the wounded skin, suggesting the persistence of an unresolved inflammation. We show how naturally occurring sequence variation controls transcriptional networks in macrophages, which in turn regulate specific metabolic pathways that could be targeted in wound healing.
Date Issued
2019-01-24
Date Acceptance
2018-12-18
Citation
JCI insight, 2019, 4 (2)
ISSN
2379-3708
Publisher
American Society for Clinical Investigation
Journal / Book Title
JCI insight
Volume
4
Issue
2
Copyright Statement
© 2019, American Society for Clinical Investigation. By permission of ASCI.
Sponsor
Medical Research Council (MRC)
Medical Research Council (MRC)
Grant Number
MR/M004716/1
MR/N01121X/1
Subjects
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Research & Experimental Medicine
GENOME-WIDE ASSOCIATION
QUANTITATIVE TRAIT LOCI
COMPLEX TRAITS
BONE-MARROW
INFLAMMATION
EXPRESSION
RUNX2
LINK
REGENERATION
HOMEOSTASIS
Cholesterol
Dermatology
Inflammation
Macrophages
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
e125736