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Sciarretta F, Zaccaria F, Ninni A, Ceci V, Turchi R, Apolloni S, Milani M, Della Valle I, Tiberi M, Chiurchiù V, D'Ambrosi N, Pedretti S, Mitro N, Volontè C, Amadio S, Aquilano K, Lettieri-Barbato D. Frataxin deficiency shifts metabolism to promote reactive microglia via glucose catabolism. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202402609. [PMID: 38631900 PMCID: PMC11024345 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202402609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunometabolism investigates the intricate relationship between the immune system and cellular metabolism. This study delves into the consequences of mitochondrial frataxin (FXN) depletion, the primary cause of Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA), a debilitating neurodegenerative condition characterized by impaired coordination and muscle control. By using single-cell RNA sequencing, we have identified distinct cellular clusters within the cerebellum of an FRDA mouse model, emphasizing a significant loss in the homeostatic response of microglial cells lacking FXN. Remarkably, these microglia deficient in FXN display heightened reactive responses to inflammatory stimuli. Furthermore, our metabolomic analyses reveal a shift towards glycolysis and itaconate production in these cells. Remarkably, treatment with butyrate counteracts these immunometabolic changes, triggering an antioxidant response via the itaconate-Nrf2-GSH pathways and suppressing the expression of inflammatory genes. Furthermore, we identify Hcar2 (GPR109A) as a mediator involved in restoring the homeostasis of microglia without FXN. Motor function tests conducted on FRDA mice underscore the neuroprotective attributes of butyrate supplementation, enhancing neuromotor performance. In conclusion, our findings elucidate the role of disrupted homeostatic function in cerebellar microglia in the pathogenesis of FRDA. Moreover, they underscore the potential of butyrate to mitigate inflammatory gene expression, correct metabolic imbalances, and improve neuromotor capabilities in FRDA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Sciarretta
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Bietti, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Zaccaria
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- PhD Program in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Bietti, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Ninni
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- PhD Program in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Bietti, Rome, Italy
| | - Veronica Ceci
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- PhD Program in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Riccardo Turchi
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Savina Apolloni
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Milani
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- PhD Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Della Valle
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- PhD Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Tiberi
- Laboratory of Resolution of Neuroinflammation, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Valerio Chiurchiù
- Laboratory of Resolution of Neuroinflammation, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, IFT-CNR, Rome, Italy
| | - Nadia D'Ambrosi
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Pedretti
- DiSFeB, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Nico Mitro
- DiSFeB, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Cinzia Volontè
- https://ror.org/04zaypm56 National Research Council, Institute for Systems Analysis and Computer Science "A. Ruberti", Rome, Italy
- Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Experimental Neuroscience and Neurological Disease Models, Rome, Italy
| | - Susanna Amadio
- Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Experimental Neuroscience and Neurological Disease Models, Rome, Italy
| | - Katia Aquilano
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Lettieri-Barbato
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Bietti, Rome, Italy
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