Role of HIF-1 and NF-κB Transcription Factors in the Modulation of Transferrin Receptor by Inflammatory and Anti-inflammatory Signals*

Inflammation generates various changes in body iron homeostasis, including iron sequestration in the reticuloendothelial system with ensuing hypoferremia and anemia of chronic disease. Increased iron accumulation is caused by hepcidin-mediated down-regulation of the iron export protein ferroportin and higher iron uptake. However, enhanced iron acquisition by macrophages cannot be accounted for by the previously reported transferrin receptor (TfR1) down-regulation in macrophages exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/interferon γ (IFNγ) because it impairs a major iron uptake mechanism. Because TfR1 is up-regulated by the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1), we investigated the effect of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory signals on HIF-1-mediated TfR1 gene expression. Exposure of mouse macrophages (RAW 264.7 and J774A.1 cells or peritoneal macrophages) to LPS/IFNγ up-regulated NF-κB, which in turn rapidly and transiently activated HIF-1-dependent TfR1 expression and iron uptake. Activation of an anti-inflammatory pathway by pre-exposure to the adenosine A2A receptor agonist CGS21680 prevented the inducing effect of LPS/IFNγ on HIF-1 and TfR1 expression by inhibiting NF-κB activity, whereas treatment with CGS21680 alone increased HIF-1-mediated TfR1 expression by means of an NF-κB-independent signaling pathway. In conclusion, an interplay of the HIF-1 and NF-κB pathways controls TfR1 transcription in inflammation. The consequent changes in TfR1 expression may be involved in modulating iron retention in inflammatory macrophages, thus possibly contributing to the development of hypoferremia in the early phases preceding the down-regulation of macrophage ferroportin by hepcidin.