IFN-gamma and LPS Induce Synergistic Expression of CCL2 in Monocytic Cells via H3K27 Acetylation

Background: Overexpression of CCL2 (MCP-1) has been implicated in pathogenesis of metabolic conditions, such as obesity and T2D. However, the mechanisms leading to increased CCL2 expression in obesity are not fully understood. Since both IFN-gamma and LPS levels are found to be elevated in obesity and shown to be involved in the regulation of metabolic inflammation and insulin resistance, we investigated whether these two agents could synergistically trigger the expression of CCL2 in obesity. Methods: Monocytes (Human monocytic THP-1 cells) were stimulated with IFN-gamma and LPS. CCL2 gene expression was determined by real-time RT-PCR. CCL2 protein was determined by ELISA. Signaling pathways were identified by using epigenetic inhibitors and STAT1 siRNA. Acetylation of H3K27 was analyzed by Western blotting. The acetylation level of histone H3K27 in the transcriptional initiation region of CCL2 gene was determined by ChIP-qPCR. Results: Our results show that the co-incubation of THP-1 monocytes with IFN-gamma and LPS significantly enhanced the expression of CCL2, compared to treatment with IFN-gamma or LPS alone. Similar results were obtained using primary monocytes and macrophages. Interestingly, IFN-gamma priming was found to be more effective than LPS priming in inducing synergistic expression of CCL2. Moreover, STAT1 deficiency significantly suppressed this synergy for CCL2 expression. Mechanistically, we showed that IFN-gamma priming induced acetylation of lysine 27 on histone 3 (H3K27ac) in THP-1 cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay followed by qRT-PCR revealed increased H3K27ac at the CCL2 promoter proximal region, resulting in stabilized gene expression. Furthermore, inhibition of histone acetylation with anacardic acid suppressed this synergistic response, whereas trichostatin A (TSA) could substitute IFN-gamma in this synergy. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that IFN-gamma, in combination with LPS, has the potential to augment inflammation via the H3K27ac-mediated induction of CCL2 in monocytic cells in the setting of obesity.