[Bioinformatic analysis of Eftud2 enhancing mouse macrophage function]

Xi Bao Yu Fen Zi Mian Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2020 Aug;36(8):704-711.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

Objective To elucidate the mechanisms by which elongation factor Tu GTP binding domain containing 2 (Eftud2) enhances the immune function of murine macrophages by bioinformatics analysis. Methods The bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) of Eftud2 myeloid cell-specific knockout (MKO) mice (n=10) and wild-type (WT) littermates (n=10) were collected and stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (100 ng/mL) for 2 hours. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted to examine the differences in gene expression and mRNA transcription levels. The the differences in gene expression and alternative splicing of mRNA transcription in BMDMs were analyzed by DEGseq and rMATS, respectively. The signaling pathways affected were clarified by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) classification and enrichment methods. Results Compared with WT counterparts, the expression levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and the genes related to immune response in MKO BMDMs were down-regulated following LPS stimulation. KEGG pathway analysis showed that the differently expressed genes in BMDMs and alternative splicing mainly affected the signal transduction and immune system-related metabolic pathways, and had a strong correlation with PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. The difference in alternative splicing also existed in ubiquitination and endocytosis. Compared with WT counterparts, there were 232 differences in alternative splicing in MKO BMDMs, among which 125 were skipping exons, accounting for the largest proportion. In addition, the analysis of alternative splicing differences also confirmed the previous experimental results, that is, Eftud2 could participate in the activation of inflammatory signaling pathways by enhancing the alternative splicing of key molecules such as MyD88 in TLR4-NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby augmenting the function of macrophages. Conclusion Eftud2 can promote the release of inflammatory cytokines in BMDMs by regulating gene expression and alternative splicing, and consequently enhance the immune function of macrophages.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Computational Biology*
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Gene Expression* / genetics
  • Gene Expression* / immunology
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Macrophages* / immunology
  • Mice
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • NF-kappa B