Abstract 11024: Interferon-Gamma Impairs Human Coronary Artery Endothelial Glucose Metabolism via Tryptophan Catabolism and Activates Fatty Acid Oxidization

Introduction: Endothelial cells depend on glycolysis for much of energy production. Deranged endothelial glycolysis has been associated with various vascular pathobiologies. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) producing T-cells have been identified as the predominant pathologic cell subset in human atherosclerotic plaque. While the immunological consequences of these cells have been evaluated, their metabolic effects on endothelial cells remain unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the metabolic consequences of IFN-γ on human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC). Hypothesis: We hypothesized that IFN-γ inhibits endothelial glucose metabolism and results in pathologic phenotypic changes in HCAEC. Methods: The metabolic effects of IFN-γ on primary HCAEC were assessed by unbiased transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses combined with real-time extracellular flux and molecular mechanistic studies. Relevant cellular phenotype was assessed by measuring endothelial intracellular cGMP content and wound healing capacity. Results: IFN-γ inhibited glycolysis of HCAEC by 20 % ( p = 0.006) via global transcriptional suppression of glycolytic enzymes resulting from decreased basal nuclear hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) availability. HIF1α destabilization (FC 0.72; p = 0.0039) was mediated by the sequestration of its binding partner HIF1β by aryl hydrocarbon receptor via a kynurenine surge (FC 6.24; p < 0.0001) resulting from IFN-γ-induced tryptophan degradation. Endothelial fatty acid oxidation (FAO) increased by 19% ( p = 0.014) with its inhibition leading to a 23% ATP deficit ( p < 0.0001). These metabolic derangements were associated with pathologic endothelial phenotypic changes, including decreased intracellular cGMP by 29 % ( p = 0.025) and impaired wound healing capacity by 38 % ( p = 0.0098). Conclusions: IFN-γ impairs endothelial glucose metabolism via tryptophan catabolism destabilizing HIF1α and results in a metabolic shift toward increased FAO. These findings suggest a novel mechanistic basis for pathologic T-lymphocyte-endothelial interaction in coronary artery disease mediated by IFN-γ, linking endothelial glucose, amino acid, and fatty acid metabolism and their adverse endothelial functional consequences.