Choline is a vitamin-like nutrient that is taken up via specific transporters and metabolized by choline ki-nase, which converts it to phosphocholine needed for de novo synthesis of phosphatidylcholine (PC), the main phospholipid of cellular membranes. We found that Toll-like receptor (TLR) activation enhances choline uptake by macrophages and micro-glia through induction of the choline transporter CTL1. Inhibition of CTL1 expression or choline phos-phorylation attenuated NLRP3 inflammasome activation and IL-1beta and IL-18 production in stimulated macrophages. Mechanistically, reduced choline uptake altered mitochondrial lipid profile, attenuated mitochondrial ATP synthesis, and activated the energy sensor AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). By potentiating mitochondrial recruitment of DRP1, AMPK stimulates mitophagy, which contributes to termination of NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Correspondingly, choline kinase inhibitors ameliorated acute and chronic models of IL-1 p-dependent inflammation.
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