Glucocorticoids coordinate macrophage metabolism through the regulation of the tricarboxylic acid cycle

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are one of the most widely prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs. By acting through their cognate receptor, the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), GCs downregulate the expression of pro-inflammatory genes and upregulate the expression of anti-inflammatory genes. Metabolic pathways have recently been identified as key parts of both the inflammatory activation and anti-inflammatory polarization of macrophages, immune cells responsible for acute inflammation and tissue repair. It is currently unknown whether GCs control macrophage metabolism, and if so, to what extent metabolic regulation by GCs confers anti-inflammatory activity. Using transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling of macrophages, we identified GC-controlled pathways involved in metabolism, especially in mitochondrial function. Metabolic analyses revealed that GCs repress glycolysis in inflammatory myeloid cells and promote tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle flux, promoting succinate metabolism and preventing intracellular accumulation of succinate. Inhibition of ATP synthase attenuated GC-induced transcriptional changes, likely through stalling of TCA cycle anaplerosis. We further identified a glycolytic regulatory transcription factor, HIF1α, as regulated by GCs, and as a key regulator of GC responsiveness during inflammatory challenge. Our findings link metabolism to gene regulation by GCs in macrophages. •Glucocorticoids regulate a network of genes associated with cellular metabolism in macrophages.•Glucocorticoids affect the macrophage metabolome, converging on reactive oxygen species and tricarboxylic acid.•Glucocorticoids mediate Tricarboxylic acid cycle anaplerosis at the glutamine-α-ketoglutarate pathway and this is required for anti-inflammatory gene regulation by glucocorticoids.•Glucocorticoids prevent Lipopolysaccharide-induced succinate accumulation, and HIF1α stabilization.