NFkB Signaling in Macrophages

University Of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles CA

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Abstract

ABSTRACT Inflammatory signaling by macrophages in response to pathogens or tissue injury is the key determinant of the pathology and pathogenesis of infectious and non-infectious disease. The transcription factor NF?B controls the inflammatory gene expression programs, but it remains unclear how its regulation determines healthy or disease-associated gene expression responses. During the previous funding period, we have used a combined experimental / computational modeling approach to gain a predictive understanding of how NF?B is activated in response to TLR signaling and that multiple mechanisms converge to regulate NF?B. After developing a live cell microscopy tracking workflow we discovered that contrary to previous notions NF?B dynamics are highly oscillatory. By generating a knockin RelA-Venus mouse, we are able ? for the first time ? measure NF?B dynamics in primary cells revealing oscillations as an intrinsic hallmark of NF?B in healthy macrophages. Based on preliminary studies, we propose to test the hypothesis that NF?B oscillations are critical for healthy macrophage functions as they preserve their epigenetic chromatin state. Non-oscillatory NF?B is more likely to alter the macrophage-characteristic chromatin state and lead to altered, disease-associated gene expression. Further, while oscillations are pervasive, their duration is modulated by different stimuli, allowing for differential, stimulus-specific gene expression programs. Together, the proposed studies will substantially contribute to our understanding of how NF?B dynamic control determines physiological and pathological gene expression programs.