SGK3 deficiency in macrophages suppresses angiotensin II–induced cardiac remodeling via regulating Ndufa13–mediated mitochondrial oxidative stress

Infiltration of monocyte-derived macrophages plays a crucial role in cardiac remodeling and dysfunction. The serum and glucocorticoid-inducible protein kinase 3 (SGK3) is a downstream factor of PI3K signaling, regulating various biological processes via an AKT-independent signaling pathway. SGK3 has been implicated in cardiac remodeling. However, the contribution of macrophagic SGK3 to hypertensive cardiac remodeling remains unclear. A cardiac remodeling model was established by angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion in SGK3-Lyz2-CRE (f/f, +) and wild-type mice to assess the function of macrophagic SGK3. Additionally, a co-culture system of SGK3-deficient or wild-type macrophages and neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (CMs) or neonatal rat fibroblasts (CFs) was established to evaluate the effects of SGK3 and the underlying mechanisms. SGK3 levels were significantly elevated in both peripheral blood mononuclear cells and serum from patients with heart failure. Macrophage SGK3 deficiency attenuated Ang II–induced macrophage infiltration, myocardial hypertrophy, myocardial fibrosis, and mitochondrial oxidative stress. RNA sequencing suggested Ndufa13 as the candidate gene in the effect of SGK3 on Ang II–induced cardiac remolding. Downregulation of Ndufa13 in CMs and CFs prevented the suppression of cardiac remodeling caused by SGK3 deficiency in macrophages. Mechanistically, the absence of SGK3 led to a reduction in IL-1β secretion by inhibiting the NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-1β pathway in macrophages, consequently suppressing upregulated Ndufa13 expression and mitochondrial oxidative stress in CMs and CFs. This study provides new evidence that SGK3 is a potent contributor to the pathogenesis of hypertensive cardiac remodeling, and targeting SGK3 in macrophages may serve as a potential therapy for cardiac remodeling.