Differential S1P Receptor Profiles on M1- and M2-Polarized Macrophages Affect Macrophage Cytokine Production and Migration

Abstract EN

Introduction.

Macrophages are key players in complex biological processes.

In response to environmental signals, macrophages undergo polarization towards a proinflammatory (M1) or anti-inflammatory (M2) phenotype.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive lysophospholipid that acts via 5 G-protein coupled receptors (S1P1–5) in order to influence a broad spectrum of biological processes.

This study assesses S1P receptor expression on macrophages before and after M1 and M2 polarization and performs a comparative analysis of S1P signalling in the two activational states of macrophages.

Methods.

Bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDM) from C57 BL/6 mice were cultured under either M1- or M2-polarizing conditions.

S1P-receptor expression was determined by quantitative RT-PCR.

Influence of S1P on macrophage activation, migration, phagocytosis, and cytokine secretion was assessed in vitro.

Results.

All 5 S1P receptor subclasses were expressed in macrophages.

Culture under both M1- and M2-polarizing conditions led to significant downregulation of S1P1.

In contrast, M1-polarized macrophages significantly downregulated S1P4.

The expression of the remaining three S1P receptors did not change.

S1P increased expression of iNOS under M2-polarizing conditions.

Furthermore, S1P induced chemotaxis in M1 macrophages and changed cytokine production in M2 macrophages.

Phagocytosis was not affected by S1P-signalling.

Discussion.

The expression of different specific S1P receptor profiles may provide a possibility to selectively influence M1- or M2-polarized macrophages.