Therapeutic potential of microglial SMEK1 in regulating H3K9 lactylation in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion

Abstract Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) triggers immune responses and neuroinflammation, contributing to brain injury. Histone lactylation, a metabolic stress-related histone modification, plays a critical role in various diseases, but its involvement in cerebral ischemia remains unclear. This study ut...

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Main Authors: Wei-Yue Si, Chun-Lin Yang, Shu-Li Wei, Tong Du, Liang-Kang Li, Jing Dong, Yang Zhou, Heng Li, Peng Zhang, Qi-Ji Liu, Rui-Sheng Duan, Ruo-Nan Duan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2024-12-01
Series:Communications Biology
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-024-07425-6
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Summary:Abstract Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) triggers immune responses and neuroinflammation, contributing to brain injury. Histone lactylation, a metabolic stress-related histone modification, plays a critical role in various diseases, but its involvement in cerebral ischemia remains unclear. This study utilized a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) model and an oxygen–glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model to investigate the role of microglial histone lactylation in ischemia–reperfusion injury. Lactate overload post-AIS increased histone lactylation, while reduced SMEK1 expression in microglia correlated with elevated lactate and neuroinflammation. Microglia-specific SMEK1 deficiency enhanced lactate production by inhibiting the pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 3-pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDK3-PDH) pathway, increasing H3 lysine 9 lactylation (H3K9la), activating Ldha and Hif-1α transcription, and promoting glycolysis. SMEK1 overexpression improved neurological recovery in ischemic mice. This study highlights SMEK1 as a novel regulator of histone lactylation and a potential therapeutic target for mitigating neuroinflammation and enhancing recovery after AIS.
ISSN:2399-3642