Diabetes fuels periodontal lesions via GLUT1-driven macrophage inflammaging

Int J Oral Sci. 2021 Mar 24;13(1):11. doi: 10.1038/s41368-021-00116-6.

Abstract

Hyperglycemia induces chronic low-grade inflammation (inflammaging), which is a newly identified contributor to diabetes-related tissue lesions, including the inflammatory bone loss in periodontitis. It is also a secondary senescent pattern mediated by an increased burden of senescent cells and senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Macrophage is a key SASP-spreading cell and may contribute to the maintenance of SASP response in the periodontal microenvironment. Using a transgenic diabetic model (BLKS/J-Leprdb/leprdb mice) we identified striking senescence of the periodontium in young (18-wk)-diabetic mice accompanied by amassed p16+-macrophages and enhanced early SASP response. Exposed to high glucose in vitro, bone marrow-derived macrophage (BMDM) revealed a strong GLUT1 mRNA response driving the elevated-glucose uptake. GLUT1 is a representative and facilitative glucose transporter in macrophages with potential roles in hyperglycemia-induced inflammation. In this study, both GLUT1 and the downstream GTPase Rheb expression upregulated in the gingiva of diabetic mice with impaired condition. Furthermore, SASP release and p16/p21 signaling were proven to be triggered by mTOR phosphorylation in BMDM and antagonized by restricting glucose uptake in GLUT1-/- BMDM. Taken together, our findings suggest that elevated-GLUT1 sensor responded to high glucose is important for macrophage senescence and SASP response, generated as a result of hyperglycemia, and it is a potential molecular mechanism for the exacerbation of periodontitis in diabetes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cellular Senescence
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental*
  • Glucose Transporter Type 1
  • Inflammation
  • Macrophages
  • Mice

Substances

  • Glucose Transporter Type 1