Macrophages and brown adipocytes cross-communicate to modulate a thermogenic program following methamphetamine exposure

Hyperthermia is a potentially lethal side-effect of Methamphetamine (Meth), a stimulant drug. Activation of non-shivering thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue (BAT) is partly responsible for Meth-induced rise in temperature, with contributing sympathetic neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine (NE), and reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the mechanisms controlling the development of a molecular thermogenic program in brown adipocytes (BA) following Meth are unknown. We hypothesize that Meth and NE affect BAT cells, BA and macrophages, to modify their physiology and interactions, with consequences to thermogenic genes. We also hypothesize that ROS play a critical role in signaling transcription of thermogenic genes and their regulatory components. Using primary BA and macrophage cultures, we measured Meth and NE interference with physiological and phenotypic measures that are relevant to thermogenesis in BAT. Meth caused both BA and macrophages to decrease mitochondrial maximal capacity and increase ROS. In BA, the thermogenic genes UCP1, PPAR gamma, PGC1 alpha and GADD45 gamma were transcriptionally increased by Meth in a ROS-dependent manner. In macrophages, Meth increased oxidative stress response and caused a predominance of M2 subset markers. BA transcriptional changes in response to Meth and NE were significantly controlled by macrophages. The results suggest that BA and macrophages respond to Meth and NE, with effects on mitochondrial functions and transcription of genes involved in thermogenesis. ROS-dependent signals in BA and cellular interactions between BA and macrophages synergize to regulate the BAT environment and control critical pathways leading to Meth-hyperthermia.