Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Despite their inherent proximity to circulating oxygen and nutrients, endothelial cells (ECs) oxidize only a minor fraction of glucose in mitochondria, a metabolic specialization that is poorly understood. Here we show that the glycolytic enzyme pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) limits glucose oxidation, and maintains the growth and epigenetic state of ECs. We find that loss of PKM2 alters mitochondrial substrate utilization and impairs EC proliferation and migration in vivo. Mechanistically, we show that the NF-κB transcription factor RELB is responsive to PKM2 loss, limiting EC growth through the regulation of P53. Furthermore, S-adenosylmethionine synthesis is impaired in the absence of PKM2, resulting in DNA hypomethylation, de-repression of endogenous retroviral elements (ERVs) and activation of antiviral innate immune signalling. This work reveals the metabolic and functional consequences of glucose oxidation in the endothelium, highlights the importance of PKM2 for endothelial growth and links metabolic dysfunction with autoimmune activation in ECs.

Original publication

DOI

10.1038/s41467-018-06406-8

Type

Journal article

Journal

Nat Commun

Publication Date

09/10/2018

Volume

9

Keywords

Animals, Carrier Proteins, Cell Proliferation, DNA Methylation, Endogenous Retroviruses, Endothelial Cells, Gene Deletion, Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells, Humans, Membrane Proteins, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Mitochondria, Neovascularization, Physiologic, Pyruvate Kinase, Signal Transduction, Thyroid Hormones, Transcription Factor RelB, Tumor Suppressor Protein p53