Cited by 501Sirtuins and Resveratrol in MedicineTryptophan and brain disordersImmune cells in cancer

Macrophage de novo NAD+ synthesis specifies immune function in aging and inflammation

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Minhas, Paras S., Liu, Ling, Moon, Peter K., Joshi, Amit U., Dove, Christopher, Mhatre, Siddhita, Contrepois, Kevin, Wang, Qian +9 more·2019·Nature Immunology

Abstract

Recent advances highlight a pivotal role for cellular metabolism in programming immune responses. Here, we demonstrate that cell-autonomous generation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) via the kynurenine pathway (KP) regulates macrophage immune function in aging and inflammation. Isotope tracer studies revealed that macrophage NAD+ derives substantially from KP metabolism of tryptophan. Genetic or pharmacological blockade of de novo NAD+ synthesis depleted NAD+, suppressed mitochondrial NAD+-dependent signaling and respiration, and impaired phagocytosis and resolution of inflammation. Innate immune challenge triggered upstream KP activation but paradoxically suppressed cell-autonomous NAD+ synthesis by limiting the conversion of downstream quinolinate to NAD+, a profile recapitulated in aging macrophages. Increasing de novo NAD+ generation in immune-challenged or aged macrophages restored oxidative phosphorylation and homeostatic immune responses. Thus, KP-derived NAD+ operates as a metabolic switch to specify macrophage effector responses. Breakdown of de novo NAD+ synthesis may underlie declining NAD+ levels and rising innate immune dysfunction in aging and age-associated diseases.

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  • QUIN is transiently produced and metabolized into NAD+ in response to inflammation and infection.

    “Furthermore, QUIN is transiently produced and metabolized into NAD+ in response to inflammation and infection [59,60].”

    From VEEV TC-83 Triggers Dysregulation of the Tryptophan–Kynurenine Pathway in the Central Nervous System That Correlates with Cognitive Impairment in Tg2576 Mice (2024) · cites this paper as [60]

    The Results (no page number available) show that LPS challenge increased quinolinic acid (QA), but reduced QPRT expression and the NAD+ precursors downstream of QA. The Discussion explicitly says immune challenge impeded conversion of QA to NAD+, contrary to the claim that this conversion occurs in response to inflammation. The cited passages do not establish that QA production is transient. (LLM, conf=0.84)

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  • Under some circumstances, immune cells such as macrophages also make NAD+ from tryptophan.

    “Additionally, under some circumstances, immune cells, such as macrophages, also make NAD+ from tryptophan (discussed later)6.”
  • Ageing macrophages are characterized by impaired de novo synthesis of NAD+, which may impact macrophage function during ageing.

    “ageing macrophages are characterized by impaired de novo synthesis of NAD+, which in itself may impact macrophage function during ageing6”
  • NAD+ turnover during the first few hours of M1 macrophage polarization depends on reactive oxygen species-induced DNA damage and PARP1 activation.

    “This study and another recent report6,102 suggest that this NAD+ turnover, particularly during the first few hours of macrophage M1 polarization, depends on reactive oxygen species-induced DNA damage and activation of PARP1.”

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Authors
Minhas, P. S., Liu, L., Moon, P. K., Joshi, A. U., Dove, C., Mhatre, S., Contrepois, K., Wang, Q., Lee, B. A., Coronado, M., Bernstein, D., Snyder, M. P., Migaud, M., Majeti, R., Mochly-Rosen, D., Rabinowitz, J. D., & Andreasson, K. I.
Affiliations
  • Stanford Medicine (US)
  • Princeton University (US)
  • Stanford University (US)
  • USA Mitchell Cancer Institute (US)
Corresponding author
Andreasson, Katrin I.
Venue
Nature Immunology
Published
2018-11-26
Volume
20
Issue
1
Pages
50-63
ISSN
  • 1529-2908 (ISSN-L)
  • 1529-2916
OpenAlex
W2901765784
Cited by
501
References
61
Citations by year
2026: 45 · 2025: 69 · 2024: 79 · 2023: 88 · 2022: 74 · 2021: 73 · 2020: 47 · 2019: 25 · 2013: 1
FWCI
20.07
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature Immunology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • UWA Profiles and Research Repository (UWA) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (1s10rr026780-01, R37 AA11147)
  • National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (R37AA011147)
  • National Institute on Aging (R01AG048232, P50AG047366, RF1AG058047)
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R00HL129474, K12HL120001, K99HL129474, T32HL094274)
  • National Cancer Institute (R01CA188055, P30CA124435)
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (U54DK102556, DP1DK113643)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Geriatrics and Gerontology › Sirtuins and Resveratrol in Medicine
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Immune cells in cancer
Keywords
macrophages, kynurenine pathway, tryptophan metabolism, quinolinate phosphoribosyltransferase, aging, inflammation, innate immunity, phagocytosis, mitochondrial respiration, oxidative phosphorylation, immune dysfunction, cellular metabolism
MeSH terms
Nicotinate-Nucleotide Diphosphorylase (Carboxylating), Aging, Animals, Cells, Cultured, Homeostasis, Immunity, Innate, Inflammation, Kynurenine, Macrophages, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Mitochondria, NAD, Oxidative Phosphorylation, Pentosyltransferases, Phagocytosis, Tryptophan, Signal Transduction, Mice, Knockout, Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase, Mice

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