Inflammatory macrophage-derived itaconate inhibits DNA demethylase TET2 to prevent excessive osteoclast activation in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Itaconate, a macrophage-specific anti-inflammatory metabolite, has recently emerged as a critical regulator in rheumatoid arthritis pathogenesis. We found that itaconate is a TNF-α responsive metabolite significantly elevated in the serum and synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis patients and we demonstrated that itaconate is primarily produced by inflammatory macrophages rather than osteoclasts or osteoblasts. In TNF-transgenic and Irg1^−/− hybrid mice, a more severe bone destruction phenotype was observed. Administration of itaconate prevents excessive activation of osteoclasts by inhibiting Tet2 enzyme activity. Furthermore, exogenous administration of itaconate or its derivative, 4-octyl-itaconate, inhibits arthritis progression and mitigates bone destruction, offering a potential therapeutic strategy for rheumatoid arthritis. This study elucidates that TNF-α drives macrophage-derived itaconate production to epigenetically suppress osteoclast hyperactivation through Tet2 inhibition, establishing itaconate and its derivative OI as novel therapeutic agents against rheumatoid arthritis -associated bone destruction.