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Targeting SLC7A11 improves efferocytosis by dendritic cells and wound healing in diabetes

Author

Listed:
  • Sophia Maschalidi

    (VIB Center for Inflammation Research
    Ghent University)

  • Parul Mehrotra

    (VIB Center for Inflammation Research
    Ghent University)

  • Burcu N. Keçeli

    (VIB Center for Inflammation Research
    Ghent University)

  • Hannah K. L. Cleene

    (VIB Center for Inflammation Research
    Ghent University)

  • Kim Lecomte

    (Ghent University
    VIB Center for Inflammation Research)

  • Renée Cruyssen

    (Ghent University
    Ghent University Hospital)

  • Pauline Janssen

    (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)

  • Jonathan Pinney

    (University of Virginia
    University of Virginia)

  • Geert Loo

    (Ghent University
    VIB Center for Inflammation Research)

  • Dirk Elewaut

    (Ghent University
    Ghent University Hospital)

  • Ann Massie

    (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)

  • Esther Hoste

    (Ghent University
    VIB Center for Inflammation Research)

  • Kodi S. Ravichandran

    (VIB Center for Inflammation Research
    Ghent University
    University of Virginia
    University of Virginia)

Abstract

Chronic non-healing wounds are a major complication of diabetes, which affects 1 in 10 people worldwide. Dying cells in the wound perpetuate the inflammation and contribute to dysregulated tissue repair1–3. Here we reveal that the membrane transporter SLC7A11 acts as a molecular brake on efferocytosis, the process by which dying cells are removed, and that inhibiting SLC7A11 function can accelerate wound healing. Transcriptomics of efferocytic dendritic cells in mouse identified upregulation of several SLC7 gene family members. In further analyses, pharmacological inhibition of SLC7A11, or deletion or knockdown of Slc7a11 using small interfering RNA enhanced efferocytosis in dendritic cells. Slc7a11 was highly expressed in dendritic cells in skin, and single-cell RNA sequencing of inflamed skin showed that Slc7a11 was upregulated in innate immune cells. In a mouse model of excisional skin wounding, inhibition or loss of SLC7A11 expression accelerated healing dynamics and reduced the apoptotic cell load in the wound. Mechanistic studies revealed a link between SLC7A11, glucose homeostasis and diabetes. SLC7A11-deficient dendritic cells were dependent on aerobic glycolysis using glucose derived from glycogen stores for increased efferocytosis; also, transcriptomics of efferocytic SLC7A11-deficient dendritic cells identified increased expression of genes linked to gluconeogenesis and diabetes. Further, Slc7a11 expression was higher in the wounds of diabetes-prone db/db mice, and targeting SLC7A11 accelerated their wound healing. The faster healing was also linked to the release of the TGFβ family member GDF15 from efferocytic dendritic cells. In sum, SLC7A11 is a negative regulator of efferocytosis, and removing this brake improves wound healing, with important implications for wound management in diabetes.

Suggested Citation

  • Sophia Maschalidi & Parul Mehrotra & Burcu N. Keçeli & Hannah K. L. Cleene & Kim Lecomte & Renée Cruyssen & Pauline Janssen & Jonathan Pinney & Geert Loo & Dirk Elewaut & Ann Massie & Esther Hoste & K, 2022. "Targeting SLC7A11 improves efferocytosis by dendritic cells and wound healing in diabetes," Nature, Nature, vol. 606(7915), pages 776-784, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:606:y:2022:i:7915:d:10.1038_s41586-022-04754-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04754-6
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    Cited by:

    1. Ying Zhang & Shenqiang Wang & Yinxian Yang & Sheng Zhao & Jiahuan You & Junxia Wang & Jingwei Cai & Hao Wang & Jie Wang & Wei Zhang & Jicheng Yu & Chunmao Han & Yuqi Zhang & Zhen Gu, 2023. "Scarless wound healing programmed by core-shell microneedles," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.

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