Serotonin drives the acquisition of a profibrotic and anti-inflammatory gene profile through the 5-HT7R-PKA signaling axis

Sci Rep. 2017 Nov 7;7(1):14761. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-15348-y.

Abstract

Peripheral serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) regulates cell growth and differentiation in numerous cell types through engagement of seven types of cell surface receptors (HTR1-7). Deregulated 5-HT/HTR levels contribute to pathology in chronic inflammatory diseases, with macrophages being relevant targets for the physio-pathological effects of 5-HT. In fact, 5-HT skews human macrophage polarization through engagement of 5-HT2BR and 5-HT7R receptors. We now report that 5-HT primes macrophages for reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine production and IFN type I-mediated signaling, and promotes an anti-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic gene signature in human macrophages. The acquisition of the 5-HT-dependent gene profile primarily depends on the 5-HT7R receptor and 5-HT7R-initiated PKA-dependent signaling. In line with the transcriptional results, 5-HT upregulates TGFβ1 production by human macrophages in an HTR7- and PKA-dependent manner, whereas the absence of Htr7 in vivo results in diminished macrophage infiltration and collagen deposition in a mouse model of skin fibrosis. Our results indicate that the anti-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic activity of 5-HT is primarily mediated through the 5-HT7R-PKA axis, and that 5-HT7R contributes to pathology in fibrotic diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Cytokines / genetics*
  • Fibrosis / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Profiling*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism*
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Receptors, Serotonin / genetics
  • Receptors, Serotonin / metabolism*
  • Serotonin / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Skin Diseases / genetics*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Receptors, Serotonin
  • serotonin 7 receptor
  • Serotonin
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases