Adenosine 5′-Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase Promotes Macrophage Polarization to an Anti-Inflammatory Functional Phenotype

Herein, we demonstrate a role of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) as a potent counterregulator of inflammatory signaling pathways in macrophages. Stimulation of macrophages with anti-inflammatory cytolkines (i.e., IL-10 and TGF beta) resulted in the rapid phosphorylation/activation of AMPK, whereas stimulation of macrophages with a proinflammatory stimulus (LPS) resulted in AMPK dephosphorylation/inactivation. Inhibition of AMPK alpha expression by RNA interference dramatically increased the mRNA levels of LPS-induced TNF-alpha, IL-6, and cyclooxygenase-2. Likewise, expression of a dominant negative AMPK alpha 1 in macrophages enhanced TNF-alpha and IL-6 protein synthesis in response to LPS stimulation, while diminishing the production of IL-10. In contrast, transfection of macrophages with a constitutively active form of AMPK alpha 1 resulted in decreased LPS-induced TNF-alpha and IL-6 production, and heightened production of IL-10. In addition, we found that AMPK negatively regulated LPS-induced I kappa B-alpha degradation and positively regulated Akt activation, accompanied by inhibition or glycogen synthase kinase beta and activation of CREB. Thus, AMPK directs signaling pathways in macrophages in a manner that suppresses proinflammatory responses and promotes macrophage polarization to an anti-inflammatory functional phenotype. The Journal of Immunology, 2008, 181: 8633-8641.