1. Perilipin-2 limits remyelination by preventing lipid droplet degradation
- Author
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Melanie Loix, Elien Wouters, Sam Vanherle, Jonas Dehairs, James L. McManaman, Hannelore Kemps, Johannes V. Swinnen, Mansour Haidar, Jeroen F. J. Bogie, and Jerome J. A. Hendriks
- Subjects
Pharmacology ,Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience ,Remyelination ,Molecular Medicine ,Cell Biology ,Lipid Droplets ,Molecular Biology ,Lipids ,Myelin Sheath ,Perilipin-2 - Abstract
Foamy macrophages and microglia containing lipid droplets (LDs) are a pathological hallmark of demyelinating disorders affecting the central nervous system (CNS). We and others showed that excessive accumulation of intracellular lipids drives these phagocytes towards a more inflammatory phenotype, thereby limiting CNS repair. To date, however, the mechanisms underlying LD biogenesis and breakdown in lipid-engorged phagocytes in the CNS, as well as their impact on foamy phagocyte biology and lesion progression, remain poorly understood. Here, we provide evidence that LD-associated protein perilipin-2 (PLIN2) controls LD metabolism in myelin-containing phagocytes. We show that PLIN2 protects LDs from lipolysis-mediated degradation, thereby impairing intracellular processing of myelin-derived lipids in phagocytes. Accordingly, loss of Plin2 stimulates LD turnover in foamy phagocytes, driving them towards a less inflammatory phenotype. Importantly, Plin2-deficiency markedly improves remyelination in the ex vivo brain slice model and in the in vivo cuprizone-induced demyelination model. In summary, we identify PLIN2 as a novel therapeutic target to prevent the pathogenic accumulation of LDs in foamy phagocytes and to stimulate remyelination.
- Published
- 2022