Macrophage CGI-58 Attenuates Inflammatory Responsiveness via Promotion of PPARγ Signaling.

Background/aims: Comparative gene identification-58 (CGI-58), an adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) coactivator, strongly promotes ATGL-mediated triglyceride (TG) catabolism. Beyond its function in promoting lipolysis, other features of CGI-58 have been proposed. Here, we investigated the role of CGI-58 in the regulation of inflammatory responsiveness in macrophages.

Methods: Macrophage-specific GCI-58 transgenic mice (TG) and wild type mice (WT) were fed a high fat diet (HFD), and RAW264.7 cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling was detected. The inflammatory responsiveness and mitochondrial function were examined.

Results: TG mice showed lower serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines and better mitochondrial function in macrophages compared with WT control. Knockdown of CGI-58 in RAW264.7 cells aggravated LPS-induced inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction. CGI-58 overexpression and silencing in macrophages induced and inhibited PPARγ expression and activity, respectively. Most importantly, the PPARγ-specific agonist rosiglitazone significantly suppressed inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by CGI-58 deficiency. Furthermore, knockdown of PPARγ in macrophages significantly dampened the role of CGI-58 in suppression of inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction. Interestingly, CGI-58 inhibited histone deacetylation and the recruitment of histone deacetylase (HDAC) to the PPARγ promoter. Finally, ATGL deficiency did not affect inflammatory responsiveness and PPARγ signaling in macrophages.

Conclusion: These results demonstrate that macrophage CGI-58 enhances PPARγ signaling and thus suppresses inflammatory responsiveness and mitochondrial dysfunction.