SAMSN1 causes sepsis immunosuppression by inducing macrophages to express coinhibitory molecules that cause T-cell exhaustion via KEAP1–NRF2 signaling

Abstract. Background:. Immunosuppression is closely related to the pathogenesis of sepsis, but the underlying mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we aimed to examine the role of the Sterile Alpha Motif, Src Homology 3 domain and nuclear localization signal 1 (SAMSN1) in se...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yao Li, Tingting Li, Fei Xiao, Lijun Wang, Xuelian Liao, Wei Zhang, Yan Kang, Jing Ni
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer 2025-07-01
Series:Chinese Medical Journal
Online Access:http://journals.lww.com/10.1097/CM9.0000000000003606
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850077489699749888
author Yao Li
Tingting Li
Fei Xiao
Lijun Wang
Xuelian Liao
Wei Zhang
Yan Kang
Jing Ni
author_facet Yao Li
Tingting Li
Fei Xiao
Lijun Wang
Xuelian Liao
Wei Zhang
Yan Kang
Jing Ni
author_sort Yao Li
collection DOAJ
description Abstract. Background:. Immunosuppression is closely related to the pathogenesis of sepsis, but the underlying mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we aimed to examine the role of the Sterile Alpha Motif, Src Homology 3 domain and nuclear localization signal 1 (SAMSN1) in sepsis and elucidate its potential molecular mechanism in sepsis induced immunosuppression. Methods:. RNA sequencing databases were used to validate SAMSN1 expression in sepsis. The impact of SAMSN1 on sepsis was verified using gene knockout mice. Flow cytometry was employed to delineate how SAMSN1 affects immunity in sepsis, focusing on immune cell types and T cell functions. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9)-mediated gene editing in RAW264.7 macrophages enabled interrogation of SAMSN1’s regulatory effects on essential macrophage functions, including cell proliferation and phagocytic capacity. The mechanism of SAMSN1 in the interaction between macrophages and T cells was investigated using the RAW264.7 cell line and primary cell lines. Results:. SAMSN1 expression was significantly increased in patients with sepsis and was positively correlated with sepsis mortality. Genetic deletion of Samsn1 in murine sepsis model improved T cell survival, elevated T cell cytolytic activity, and activated T cell signaling transduction. Concurrently, Samsn1 knockout augmented macrophage proliferation capacity and phagocytic efficiency. In macrophage, SAMSN1 binds to Kelch-like epichlorohydrin-associated protein 1 (KEAP1), causing nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) to dissociate from the KEAP1–NRF2 complex and translocate into the nucleus. This promotes the transcription of the coinhibitory molecules CD48/CD86/carcinoembryonic antigen related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1), which bind to their corresponding receptors natural killer cell receptor 2B4/CD152/T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3 (TIM3) on the surface of T cells, inducing T-cell exhaustion. Conclusions:. SAMSN1 deletion augmented adaptive T cell immunity and macrophage phagocytic-proliferative dual function. Furthermore, it mediates the KEAP1–NRF2 axis, which affects the expression of coinhibitory molecules on macrophages, leading to T-cell exhaustion. This novel immunosuppression mechanism potentially provides a candidate molecular target for sepsis immunotherapy.
format Article
id doaj-art-53fe8ac594294df2b1afd41c61edfcc1
institution DOAJ
issn 0366-6999
2542-5641
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Wolters Kluwer
record_format Article
series Chinese Medical Journal
spelling doaj-art-53fe8ac594294df2b1afd41c61edfcc12025-08-20T02:45:46ZengWolters KluwerChinese Medical Journal0366-69992542-56412025-07-01138131607162010.1097/CM9.0000000000003606202507050-00013SAMSN1 causes sepsis immunosuppression by inducing macrophages to express coinhibitory molecules that cause T-cell exhaustion via KEAP1–NRF2 signalingYao Li0Tingting Li1Fei Xiao2Lijun Wang3Xuelian Liao4Wei Zhang5Yan Kang6Jing Ni1 Department of Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China2 Institute of Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China3 Department of Intensive Care Unit of Gynecology and Obstetrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China2 Institute of Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China1 Department of Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China1 Department of Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China1 Department of Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, ChinaAbstract. Background:. Immunosuppression is closely related to the pathogenesis of sepsis, but the underlying mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we aimed to examine the role of the Sterile Alpha Motif, Src Homology 3 domain and nuclear localization signal 1 (SAMSN1) in sepsis and elucidate its potential molecular mechanism in sepsis induced immunosuppression. Methods:. RNA sequencing databases were used to validate SAMSN1 expression in sepsis. The impact of SAMSN1 on sepsis was verified using gene knockout mice. Flow cytometry was employed to delineate how SAMSN1 affects immunity in sepsis, focusing on immune cell types and T cell functions. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9)-mediated gene editing in RAW264.7 macrophages enabled interrogation of SAMSN1’s regulatory effects on essential macrophage functions, including cell proliferation and phagocytic capacity. The mechanism of SAMSN1 in the interaction between macrophages and T cells was investigated using the RAW264.7 cell line and primary cell lines. Results:. SAMSN1 expression was significantly increased in patients with sepsis and was positively correlated with sepsis mortality. Genetic deletion of Samsn1 in murine sepsis model improved T cell survival, elevated T cell cytolytic activity, and activated T cell signaling transduction. Concurrently, Samsn1 knockout augmented macrophage proliferation capacity and phagocytic efficiency. In macrophage, SAMSN1 binds to Kelch-like epichlorohydrin-associated protein 1 (KEAP1), causing nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) to dissociate from the KEAP1–NRF2 complex and translocate into the nucleus. This promotes the transcription of the coinhibitory molecules CD48/CD86/carcinoembryonic antigen related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1), which bind to their corresponding receptors natural killer cell receptor 2B4/CD152/T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3 (TIM3) on the surface of T cells, inducing T-cell exhaustion. Conclusions:. SAMSN1 deletion augmented adaptive T cell immunity and macrophage phagocytic-proliferative dual function. Furthermore, it mediates the KEAP1–NRF2 axis, which affects the expression of coinhibitory molecules on macrophages, leading to T-cell exhaustion. This novel immunosuppression mechanism potentially provides a candidate molecular target for sepsis immunotherapy.http://journals.lww.com/10.1097/CM9.0000000000003606
spellingShingle Yao Li
Tingting Li
Fei Xiao
Lijun Wang
Xuelian Liao
Wei Zhang
Yan Kang
Jing Ni
SAMSN1 causes sepsis immunosuppression by inducing macrophages to express coinhibitory molecules that cause T-cell exhaustion via KEAP1–NRF2 signaling
Chinese Medical Journal
title SAMSN1 causes sepsis immunosuppression by inducing macrophages to express coinhibitory molecules that cause T-cell exhaustion via KEAP1–NRF2 signaling
title_full SAMSN1 causes sepsis immunosuppression by inducing macrophages to express coinhibitory molecules that cause T-cell exhaustion via KEAP1–NRF2 signaling
title_fullStr SAMSN1 causes sepsis immunosuppression by inducing macrophages to express coinhibitory molecules that cause T-cell exhaustion via KEAP1–NRF2 signaling
title_full_unstemmed SAMSN1 causes sepsis immunosuppression by inducing macrophages to express coinhibitory molecules that cause T-cell exhaustion via KEAP1–NRF2 signaling
title_short SAMSN1 causes sepsis immunosuppression by inducing macrophages to express coinhibitory molecules that cause T-cell exhaustion via KEAP1–NRF2 signaling
title_sort samsn1 causes sepsis immunosuppression by inducing macrophages to express coinhibitory molecules that cause t cell exhaustion via keap1 nrf2 signaling
url http://journals.lww.com/10.1097/CM9.0000000000003606
work_keys_str_mv AT yaoli samsn1causessepsisimmunosuppressionbyinducingmacrophagestoexpresscoinhibitorymoleculesthatcausetcellexhaustionviakeap1nrf2signaling
AT tingtingli samsn1causessepsisimmunosuppressionbyinducingmacrophagestoexpresscoinhibitorymoleculesthatcausetcellexhaustionviakeap1nrf2signaling
AT feixiao samsn1causessepsisimmunosuppressionbyinducingmacrophagestoexpresscoinhibitorymoleculesthatcausetcellexhaustionviakeap1nrf2signaling
AT lijunwang samsn1causessepsisimmunosuppressionbyinducingmacrophagestoexpresscoinhibitorymoleculesthatcausetcellexhaustionviakeap1nrf2signaling
AT xuelianliao samsn1causessepsisimmunosuppressionbyinducingmacrophagestoexpresscoinhibitorymoleculesthatcausetcellexhaustionviakeap1nrf2signaling
AT weizhang samsn1causessepsisimmunosuppressionbyinducingmacrophagestoexpresscoinhibitorymoleculesthatcausetcellexhaustionviakeap1nrf2signaling
AT yankang samsn1causessepsisimmunosuppressionbyinducingmacrophagestoexpresscoinhibitorymoleculesthatcausetcellexhaustionviakeap1nrf2signaling
AT jingni samsn1causessepsisimmunosuppressionbyinducingmacrophagestoexpresscoinhibitorymoleculesthatcausetcellexhaustionviakeap1nrf2signaling