Abstract
Background and Purpose: Macrophages not only can maintain gut immune
homeostasis by driving clearance of infection, but also can prevent
chronic inflammation and induce tissue repair. Macrophages are a
heterogenous group of cells whose characteristics are determined by
tissue microenvironment and metabolism. Since macrophages play an
important role in inflammatory disorders such as inflammatory bowel
disease (IBD), they can be a potential therapeutic target. Experimental
Approach: Here we show an IBD therapeutic candidate LMT503, a substrate
which modulates NADH quinone oxidoreductase 1, which enhances
NAD+ and induce anti-inflammatory macrophage
polarization. To determine the anti-inflammatory effect of LMT503, a
dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model was used in
this study. Key Results: Treatment of bone marrow derived macrophages
(BMDMs) with LMT503 increased IL-10 and Arg1 levels but decreased levels
of TNF-α, iNOS, and IL-6. LMT503 also increased levels of SIRT1, SIRT3,
and SIRT6, suggesting that macrophages were driven to an
anti-inflammatory character. In a murine DSS-induced colitis model, oral
treatment with LMT503 ameliorated colonic inflammation and decreased
infiltrating monocytes and neutrophils. Although NAD+
enhancement did not alter
CX3CR1intCD206- or
CX3CR1hiCD206+ colon
macrophage population, it decreased levels of TNF-α and iNOS and
increased IL-10 level, with colonic macrophages showing an
anti-inflammatory character shift. Depletion of CX3CR1
expressing gut resident macrophages abrogated the immune regulatory
effect of LMT503 in the colon. Conclusion and Implications: These data
suggest that LMT503 is a therapeutic candidate that can target
macrophages to drive polarization with an immunosuppressive character
and ameliorate IBD.