[PDF][PDF] Choline uptake and metabolism modulate macrophage IL-1β and IL-18 production

E Sanchez-Lopez, Z Zhong, A Stubelius, SR Sweeney… - Cell metabolism, 2019 - cell.com
Cell metabolism, 2019cell.com
Choline is a vitamin-like nutrient that is taken up via specific transporters and metabolized by
choline kinase, which converts it to phosphocholine needed for de novo synthesis of
phosphatidylcholine (PC), the main phospholipid of cellular membranes. We found that Toll-
like receptor (TLR) activation enhances choline uptake by macrophages and microglia
through induction of the choline transporter CTL1. Inhibition of CTL1 expression or choline
phosphorylation attenuated NLRP3 inflammasome activation and IL-1β and IL-18 …
Summary
Choline is a vitamin-like nutrient that is taken up via specific transporters and metabolized by choline kinase, which converts it to phosphocholine needed for de novo synthesis of phosphatidylcholine (PC), the main phospholipid of cellular membranes. We found that Toll-like receptor (TLR) activation enhances choline uptake by macrophages and microglia through induction of the choline transporter CTL1. Inhibition of CTL1 expression or choline phosphorylation attenuated NLRP3 inflammasome activation and IL-1β and IL-18 production in stimulated macrophages. Mechanistically, reduced choline uptake altered mitochondrial lipid profile, attenuated mitochondrial ATP synthesis, and activated the energy sensor AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). By potentiating mitochondrial recruitment of DRP1, AMPK stimulates mitophagy, which contributes to termination of NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Correspondingly, choline kinase inhibitors ameliorated acute and chronic models of IL-1β-dependent inflammation.
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