Mitochondrial dysfunction is a key driver of inflammatory responses in human disease. However, it remains unclear whether alterations in mitochondria-innate immune cross-talk contribute to the pathobiology of mitochondrial disorders and aging. Using the polymerase gamma (POLG) mutator model of mitochondrial DNA instability, we report that aberrant activation of the type I interferon (IFN-I) innate immune axis potentiates immunometabolic dysfunction, reduces health span, and accelerates aging in mutator mice. Mechanistically, elevated IFN-I signaling suppresses activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (NRF2), which increases oxidative stress, enhances proinflammatory cytokine responses, and accelerates metabolic dysfunction. Ablation of IFN-I signaling attenuates hyperinflammatory phenotypes by restoring NRF2 activity and reducing aerobic glycolysis, which combine to lessen cardiovascular and myeloid dysfunction in aged mutator mice. These findings further advance our knowledge of how mitochondrial dysfunction shapes innate immune responses and provide a framework for understanding mitochondria-driven immunopathology in POLG-related disorders and aging.

Background: Sepsis is associated with high mortality rates in intensive care units worldwide and represents a systemic inflammatory response to infection. P2X7 is an ionotropic purine receptor with known proinflammatory activity. Here, we investigated the role of the P2X7 receptor in sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Methods: Wild-type (WT) and P2X7KO (P2X7 null) mice were subjected to CLP and their survival was monitored for 7 days. Blood, peritoneal wash and lungs were collected 24 h after CLP and used to measure bacterial load, immune cell infiltration, nitric oxide (NO), cytokine levels, and peritoneal cell death and to assess lung injury. Results: P2X7KO mice showed significantly increased survival 7 days after CLP (30% compared to 60% in WT animals) accompanied by an overall attenuated inflammatory response, with decreased cell recruitment to the peritoneum, no or limited increases in the levels of NO and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, IL-17, and IL-4), reduced peritoneal cell apoptosis, and less pronounced lung infiltration and morphological changes. Conclusions: Our data show the P2X7 receptor is required for the development of the inflammatory response associated with sepsis and support the notion that P2X7 receptor is a valid therapeutic target against inflammatory diseases.

High intensity interval training (HIIT) is characterized by vigorous exercise with short rest intervals. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) plays a key role in muscle adaptation. This study aimed to evaluate whether HIIT promotes similar H2O2 formation via O2 consumption (electron leakage) in three skeletal muscles with different twitch characteristics. Rats were assigned to two groups: sedentary (n=10) and HIIT (n=10, swimming training). We collected the tibialis anterior (TA-fast), gastrocnemius (GAST-fast/slow) and soleus (SOL-slow) muscles. The fibers were analyzed for mitochondrial respiration, H2O2 production and citrate synthase (CS) activity. A multi-substrate (glycerol phosphate (G3P), pyruvate, malate, glutamate and succinate) approach was used to analyze the mitochondria in permeabilized fibers. Compared to the control group, oxygen flow coupled to ATP synthesis, complex I and complex II was higher in the TA of the HIIT group by 1.5-, 3.0- and 2.7-fold, respectively. In contrast, oxygen consumed by mitochondrial glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase (mGPdH) was 30% lower. Surprisingly, the oxygen flow coupled to ATP synthesis was 42% lower after HIIT in the SOL. Moreover, oxygen flow coupled to ATP synthesis and complex II was higher by 1.4- and 2.7-fold in the GAST of the HIIT group. After HIIT, CS activity increased 1.3-fold in the TA, and H2O2 production was 1.3-fold higher in the TA at sites containing mGPdH. No significant differences in H2O2 production were detected in the SOL. Surprisingly, HIIT increased H2O2 production in the GAST via complex II, phosphorylation, oligomycin and antimycin by 1.6-, 1.8-, 2.2-, and 2.2-fold, respectively. Electron leakage was 3.3-fold higher in the TA with G3P and 1.8-fold higher in the GAST with multiple substrates. Unexpectedly, the HIIT protocol induced different respiration and electron leakage responses in different types of muscle.

Reversible post-translational protein modifications such as SUMOylation add complexity to cardiac transcriptional regulation. The homeodomain transcription factor Nkx2-5/Csx is essential for heart specification and morphogenesis. It has been previously suggested that SUMOylation of lysine 51 (K51) of Nkx2-5 is essential for its DNA binding and transcriptional activation. Here, we confirm that SUMOylation strongly enhances Nkx2-5 transcriptional activity and that residue K51 of Nkx2-5 is a SUMOylation target. However, in a range of cultured cell lines we find that a point mutation of K51 to arginine (K51R) does not affect Nkx2-5 activity or DNA binding, suggesting the existence of additional Nkx2-5 SUMOylated residues. Using biochemical assays, we demonstrate that Nkx2-5 is SUMOylated on at least one additional site, and this is the predominant site in cardiac cells. The second site is either non-canonical or a “shifting” site, as mutation of predicted consensus sites and indeed every individual lysine in the context of the K51R mutation failed to impair Nkx2-5 transcriptional synergism with SUMO, or its nuclear localization and DNA binding. We also observe SUMOylation of Nkx2-5 cofactors, which may be critical to Nkx2-5 regulation. Our data reveal highly complex regulatory mechanisms driven by SUMOylation to modulate Nkx2-5 activity.

Autoantibodies against the M2 receptors (M2AChR) have been associated with Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM). In the heart, P2×7 receptors influence electrical conduction, coronary circulation and response to ischemia. They can also trigger pro-inflammatory responses and the development of neurological, cardiac and renal disorders. Here, P2×7−/− mice displayed an increased heart rate and ST segment depression, but similar exercise performance when compared to wild type (WT) animals. After immunization with plasmid containing M2AChR cDNA sequence, WT mice produced anti-M2AChR antibodies, while P2×7−/− mice showed an attenuated production. Despite this, WT and P2×7−/− showed left ventricle cavity enlargement and decreased exercise tolerance. Transfer of serum from M2AChR WT immunized mice to näive recipients led to an alteration in heart shape. P2×7−/− mice displayed a significant increase in the frequency of spleen regulatory T cells population, which is mainly composed by the FoxP3+CD25− subset. M2AChR WT immunized mice showed an increase in IL-1β, IFNγ and IL-17 levels in the heart, while P2×7−/− group produced lower amounts of IL-1β and IL-17 and higher amounts of IFNγ. These results pointed to previously unnoticed roles of P2×7 in cardiovascular and immune systems, and underscored the participation of IL-17 and IFNγ in the progress of autoimmune DCM.