articleNature MetabolismFeb 19, 2025HYBRID OA

Pro-inflammatory macrophages produce mitochondria-derived superoxide by reverse electron transport at complex I that regulates IL-1β release during NLRP3 inflammasome activation

University of Cambridge · MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit · +6 more institutions

PubMed
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Abstract

Abstract Macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) generate mitochondria-derived reactive oxygen species (mtROS) that act as antimicrobial agents and redox signals; however, the mechanism of LPS-induced mitochondrial superoxide generation is unknown. Here we show that LPS-stimulated bone-marrow-derived macrophages produce superoxide by reverse electron transport (RET) at complex I of the electron transport chain. Using chemical biology and genetic approaches, we demonstrate that superoxide production is driven by LPS-induced metabolic reprogramming, which increases the proton motive force (∆p), primarily as elevated mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ m ) and maintains a reduced CoQ pool. The key…

Citation impact

87
total citations
FWCI
53.61
Percentile
100%
References
65
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Authors

16

Topics & keywords

Keywords
  • Superoxide
  • Cell biology
  • Reactive oxygen species
  • Mitochondrion
  • Chemistry
  • Mitochondrial ROS
  • Inflammasome
  • Electron transport chain
UN Sustainable Development Goals
  • Responsible consumption and production
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