SUN1/2 controls macrophage polarization via modulating nuclear size and stiffness

Alteration of the size and stiffness of the nucleus triggered by environmental cues are thought to be important for eukaryotic cell fate and function. However, it remains unclear how context-dependent nuclear remodeling occurs and reprograms gene expression. Here we identify the nuclear envelope proteins SUN1/2 as mechano-regulators of the nucleus during M1 polarization of the macrophage. Specifically, we show that LPS treatment decreases the protein levels of SUN1/2 in a CK2-beta TrCP-dependent manner to shrink and soften the nucleus, therefore altering the chromatin accessibility for M1-associated gene expression. Notably, the transmembrane helix of SUN1/2 is solely required and sufficient for the nuclear mechano-remodeling. Consistently, SUN1/2 depletion in macrophages facilitates their phagocytosis, tissue infiltration, and proinflammatory cytokine production, thereby boosting the antitumor immunity in mice. Thus, our study demonstrates that, in response to inflammatory cues, SUN1/2 proteins act as mechano-regulators to remodel the nucleus and chromatin for M1 polarization of the macrophage.

Automated summary

Alteration of the size and stiffness of the nucleus triggered by environmental cues is important for eukaryotic cell fate and function. This study identifies the nuclear envelope proteins SUN1/2 as mechano-regulators of the nucleus during M1 polarization, and demonstrates that SUN1/2 proteins act as mechano-regulators to remodel the nucleus and chromatin for M1 polarization of the macrophage in response to inflammatory cues.