Journal: Redox Biology
Article Title: Stromal cell-derived itaconate promotes endometriosis via macrophage NRF2 and lysosomal pH modulation
doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2026.104101
Figure Lengend Snippet: Itaconate-mediated modulation of macrophage activity alters endometriotic lesion p rogression (A) mRNA expression of IL1B , IL6 , TNFA , and iNOS in peritoneal macrophages from endometriosis (EM) and non-EM patients, as well as non-EM macrophages co-cultured with either nor-ESC or ectopic ec-ESC for 12 h (n = 3/group).(B) Migration of si- Irg1 or NC-treated ectopic ESCs was assessed after co-culture with PBMCs for 48 h. Quantification of migrated cells in five random fields per group are shown (n = 3/group). (C-D) PKH67-labeled human ectopic ESCs pretreated with si- Irg1 or NC were co-cultured with PBMCs for 8 h. Phagocytosis of ESCs by macrophages was analyzed by flow cytometry with representative gating (C), PKH67 signal and quantification of PKH67-positive macrophages (D) (n = 6/group).(E,G) Flow cytometry analysis and quantification of iNOS + peritoneal macrophages from mouse model in E (E), A (G). (n = 6/group). (F,H) mRNA levels of Il1b , Il6 , Nos2 , and Tnf in peritoneal macrophages from mouse model in E (E), A (G) (n = 6/group).(I)Quantification of itaconate in endometriotic lesion tissue by LC–MS from mice treated with IRG1-IN-1 or vehicle. (n = 3/group).(J) Flow cytometry analysis and quantification of iNOS + peritoneal macrophages from mouse model in J (n = 6/group).(K,L) Migration of mESCs induced by peritoneal macrophages from PBS- or 4-OI-treated mice was assessed by transwell assay; representative images and quantification of migrated cells are shown (n = 5/group). (M) Flow cytometry analysis and quantification of phagocytosis of PKH67-labeled mESCs by peritoneal macrophages (n = 6/group).(N) Schematic of the experimental design for clodronate liposome-mediated macrophage depletion and 4-OI intervention in EM mice. (O, P) Representative images (O) and gross morphology (P) of endometriotic lesions in control, clodronate, PBS, and 4-OI groups. (Q) Quantification of lesion weight in mice treated with clodronate liposomes or control liposomes, with or without 4-OI (n = 6/group). (Data are presented as mean ± SEM. ∗p < 0.05, ∗∗p < 0.01, ∗∗∗p < 0.001, ∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001.) E2, estradiol benzoate; EM, endometriosis; LNP, lipid nanoparticle; LPS, lipopolysaccharide; 4-OI, 4-octyl itaconate; Clod, clodronate liposome; PBS, phosphate-buffered saline; si- Irg1 , small interfering RNA targeting Irg1.
Article Snippet: Estrous cycles were synchronized with subcutaneous estradiol benzoate (E2) (3 μg/mouse) (MCE; Nanjing, China).
Techniques: Activity Assay, Expressing, Cell Culture, Migration, Co-Culture Assay, Labeling, Flow Cytometry, Liquid Chromatography with Mass Spectroscopy, Transwell Assay, Control, Liposomes, Saline, Small Interfering RNA