PGC-1α activation to enhance macrophage immune function in mycobacterial infections.

Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) are a heterogeneous group of environmental microorganisms with distinct human pathogenesis. Their incidence and prevalence are rising worldwide, due in part to elevated antimicrobial resistance which complicates treatment and potential successful outcomes. Although...

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Main Authors: Joel R Frandsen, Zhihong Yuan, Brahmchetna Bedi, Zohra Prasla, Seoung-Ryoung Choi, Prabagaran Narayanasamy, Ruxana T Sadikot
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0310908
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author Joel R Frandsen
Zhihong Yuan
Brahmchetna Bedi
Zohra Prasla
Seoung-Ryoung Choi
Prabagaran Narayanasamy
Ruxana T Sadikot
author_facet Joel R Frandsen
Zhihong Yuan
Brahmchetna Bedi
Zohra Prasla
Seoung-Ryoung Choi
Prabagaran Narayanasamy
Ruxana T Sadikot
author_sort Joel R Frandsen
collection DOAJ
description Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) are a heterogeneous group of environmental microorganisms with distinct human pathogenesis. Their incidence and prevalence are rising worldwide, due in part to elevated antimicrobial resistance which complicates treatment and potential successful outcomes. Although information exists on the clinical significance of NTMs, little is known about host immune response to infection. NTM infections alter macrophage mitochondrial capacity and decrease ATP production, efficient immune response, and bacterial clearance. Transcription factor peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) is a master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, influencing metabolism, mitochondrial pathways, and antioxidant response. Mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) is a protein essential for mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genome stability, integrity, and metabolism. Both PGC-1α and TFAM regulate mitochondrial biogenesis and activity, and their disruption is linked to inflammatory signaling and altered macrophage function. We show that NTM causes macrophage mitochondrial damage and disrupted bioenergetics. Mechanistically we show that this is related to attenuation of expression of PGC-1α and TFAM in infected macrophages. Importantly, rescuing expression of PGC-1α and TFAM using pharmacologic approaches restored macrophage immune function. Our results suggest that pharmacologic approaches to enhance mitochondrial function provide a novel approach to target macrophage immune function and means to combat NTM infections.
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institution Kabale University
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spelling doaj-art-2746ad3801ce469e82169eea5698165b2025-02-12T05:31:16ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032025-01-01202e031090810.1371/journal.pone.0310908PGC-1α activation to enhance macrophage immune function in mycobacterial infections.Joel R FrandsenZhihong YuanBrahmchetna BediZohra PraslaSeoung-Ryoung ChoiPrabagaran NarayanasamyRuxana T SadikotNontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) are a heterogeneous group of environmental microorganisms with distinct human pathogenesis. Their incidence and prevalence are rising worldwide, due in part to elevated antimicrobial resistance which complicates treatment and potential successful outcomes. Although information exists on the clinical significance of NTMs, little is known about host immune response to infection. NTM infections alter macrophage mitochondrial capacity and decrease ATP production, efficient immune response, and bacterial clearance. Transcription factor peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) is a master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, influencing metabolism, mitochondrial pathways, and antioxidant response. Mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) is a protein essential for mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genome stability, integrity, and metabolism. Both PGC-1α and TFAM regulate mitochondrial biogenesis and activity, and their disruption is linked to inflammatory signaling and altered macrophage function. We show that NTM causes macrophage mitochondrial damage and disrupted bioenergetics. Mechanistically we show that this is related to attenuation of expression of PGC-1α and TFAM in infected macrophages. Importantly, rescuing expression of PGC-1α and TFAM using pharmacologic approaches restored macrophage immune function. Our results suggest that pharmacologic approaches to enhance mitochondrial function provide a novel approach to target macrophage immune function and means to combat NTM infections.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0310908
spellingShingle Joel R Frandsen
Zhihong Yuan
Brahmchetna Bedi
Zohra Prasla
Seoung-Ryoung Choi
Prabagaran Narayanasamy
Ruxana T Sadikot
PGC-1α activation to enhance macrophage immune function in mycobacterial infections.
PLoS ONE
title PGC-1α activation to enhance macrophage immune function in mycobacterial infections.
title_full PGC-1α activation to enhance macrophage immune function in mycobacterial infections.
title_fullStr PGC-1α activation to enhance macrophage immune function in mycobacterial infections.
title_full_unstemmed PGC-1α activation to enhance macrophage immune function in mycobacterial infections.
title_short PGC-1α activation to enhance macrophage immune function in mycobacterial infections.
title_sort pgc 1α activation to enhance macrophage immune function in mycobacterial infections
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0310908
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