Lysophospholipids induce innate immune transdifferentiation of endothelial cells, resulting in prolonged endothelial activation.

Innate immune cells express danger-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) receptors, T-cell costimulation/coinhibition receptors, and major histocompatibility complex II (MHC-II). We have recently proposed that endothelial cells can serve as innate immune cells, but the molecular mechanisms involved still await discovery. Here, we investigated whether human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) could be transdifferentiated into innate immune cells by exposing them to hyperlipidemia-up-regulated DAMP molecules, i.e. lysophospholipids. Performing RNA-seq analysis of lysophospholipid-treated HAECs, we found that lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI) regulate largely distinct gene programs as revealed by principal component analysis. Metabolically, LPC up-regulated genes that are involved in cholesterol biosynthesis, presumably through sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP2). By contrast, LPI up-regulated gene transcripts critical for the metabolism of glucose, lipids, and amino acids. Of note, we found that LPC and LPI both induce adhesion molecules, cytokines, and chemokines, which are all classic markers of endothelial cell activation, in HAECs. Moreover, LPC and LPI shared the ability to transdifferentiate HAECs into innate immune cells, including induction of potent DAMP receptors, such as CD36 molecule, T-cell costimulation/coinhibition receptors, and MHC-II proteins. The induction of these innate-immunity signatures by lysophospholipids correlated with their ability to induce up-regulation of cytosolic calcium and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. In conclusion, lysophospholipids such as LPC and LPI induce innate immune cell transdifferentiation in HAECs. The concept of prolonged endothelial activation, discovered here, is relevant for designing new strategies for managing cardiovascular diseases.