# The ATP synthase inhibition induces an AMPK-dependent glycolytic switch of mesenchymal stem cells that enhances their immunotherapeutic potential

Rafael Contreras-Lopez, Roberto Elizondo-Vega, Noymar Luque-Campos,

María José Torres, Carolina Pradenas, Gautier Tejedor, María José

Paredes-Martínez, Ana María Vega-Letter, Mauricio Campos-Mora, Yandi

Rigual-Gonzalez, et al.

► To cite this version:

Rafael Contreras-Lopez, Roberto Elizondo-Vega, Noymar Luque-Campos, María José Torres, Carolina Pradenas, et al. The ATP synthase inhibition induces an AMPK-dependent glycolytic switch of mesenchymal stem cells that enhances their immunotherapeutic potential. Theranostics, 2021, 11 (1), pp.445-460. 10.7150/thno.51631. hal-03670485

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Theranostics

2021; 11(1): 445-460. doi: 10.7150/thno.51631

Research Paper

# The ATP synthase inhibition induces an AMPK-dependent glycolytic switch of mesenchymal stem cells that enhances their immunotherapeutic potential

Rafael Contreras-Lopez<sup>1,2#</sup>, Roberto Elizondo-Vega<sup>1,3#</sup>, Noymar Luque-Campos<sup>1</sup>, María José Torres<sup>4</sup>, Carolina Pradenas<sup>1</sup>, Gautier Tejedor<sup>2</sup>, María José Paredes-Martínez<sup>1</sup>, Ana María Vega-Letter<sup>5,6</sup>, Mauricio Campos-Mora<sup>1</sup>, Yandi Rigual-Gonzalez<sup>4</sup>, Karina Oyarce<sup>7</sup>, Magdiel Salgado<sup>3</sup>, Christian Jorgensen<sup>2</sup>, Maroun Khoury<sup>5,6</sup>, María de los Ángeles Garcia-Robles<sup>3</sup>, Claudia Altamirano<sup>4</sup>, Farida Djouad<sup>2‡</sup> and Patricia Luz-Crawford<sup>1‡</sup>

1. Centro de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile.

2. IRMB, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France.

3. Laboratorio de Biología Celular, Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile.

4. Escuela de Ingeniería Bioquímica, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.

5. Cells for Cells, Regenero, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile.

6. Laboratory of Nano-Regenerative Medicine, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile.

7. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Sebastián, Concepción, Chile.

#These authors contributed equally to this work.

✉ Corresponding authors: Equally contributing co-corresponding authors. Patricia Luz-Crawford: Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile. Tel: 56 (2) 26181481; E-mail: pluz@uandes.cl; Farida Djouad: Inserm U 1183, IRMB, Hôpital Saint-Eloi, 80 avenue Augustin Fliche, 34295 Montpellier cedex 5, France. Tel: 33 (0) 4 67 33 04 75; E-mail: farida.djouad@inserm.fr.

© The author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). See http://ivyspring.com/terms for full terms and conditions.

Received: 2020.08.06; Accepted: 2020.09.23; Published: 2021.01.01

## Abstract

**Objectives:** Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells (MSC) are promising therapeutic tools for inflammatory diseases due to their potent immunoregulatory capacities. Their suppressive activity mainly depends on inflammatory cues that have been recently associated with changes in MSC bioenergetic status towards a glycolytic metabolism. However, the molecular mechanisms behind this metabolic reprogramming and its impact on MSC therapeutic properties have not been investigated.

**Methods:** Human and murine-derived MSC were metabolically reprogramed using pro-inflammatory cytokines, an inhibitor of ATP synthase (oligomycin), or 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG). The immunosuppressive activity of these cells was tested *in vitro* using co-culture experiments with pro-inflammatory T cells and *in vivo* with the Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity (DTH) and the Graph versus Host Disease (GVHD) murine models.

**Results:** We found that the oligomycin-mediated pro-glycolytic switch of MSC significantly enhanced their immunosuppressive properties *in vitro*. Conversely, glycolysis inhibition using 2DG significantly reduced MSC immunoregulatory effects. Moreover, *in vivo*, MSC glycolytic reprogramming significantly increased their therapeutic benefit in the DTH and GVHD mouse models. Finally, we demonstrated that the MSC glycolytic switch effect partly depends on the activation of the AMPK signaling pathway.

**Conclusion:** Altogether, our findings show that AMPK-dependent glycolytic reprogramming of MSC using an ATP synthase inhibitor contributes to their immunosuppressive and therapeutic functions, and suggest that pro-glycolytic drugs might be used to improve MSC-based therapy.

Key words: MSC, ATP synthase inhibition, glycolytic metabolism, AMPK activity, immunotherapy

## Introduction

Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells (MSC) are potent immunoregulatory cells that are among the best cell candidates for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases [1]. However, some

discrepancies between the results obtained in pre-clinical and clinical studies indicate that MSC immunoregulatory properties need to be thoroughly studied to optimize MSC-based therapies [2].
Indeed, the expansion of human MSC *in vitro*, which is needed for their use in the clinic, promotes their metabolic reprogramming towards oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) that reduces their therapeutic efficacy [3-5]. Conversely, MSC culture in an inflammatory microenvironment favors their glycolytic reprogramming and enhances their immunoregulatory potential [4, 6]. This differential MSC metabolic reprogramming upon culture in different conditions and exposure to stimuli has direct consequences on their properties, including proliferation, aging, differentiation, and immunosuppression. Indeed, glycolysis inhibition significantly represses MSC immunoregulatory properties by inhibiting the activity of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), a well-known mediator of the immunosuppressive functions of human MSC [4, 7]. However, the role of MSC metabolism in their therapeutic properties and the molecular mechanisms underlying the pivotal role of glycolysis in MSC immunoregulatory functions require to be better understood.

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a cellular energy sensor that triggers the molecular pathways needed to supply ATP in response to low ATP levels [8]. It is also involved in MSC survival and proliferation in hypoxic culture conditions [9]. AMPK activation is associated with increased membrane translocation of glucose transporters 1 and 4 (GLUT1) and (GLUT4) [10]. Downstream of AMPK, other signaling pathways, such as mTOR, also regulate glucose homeostasis [11, 12]. The induction of glucose uptake and glycolysis downstream mTOR depends on the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) [13]. In hypoxic conditions, HIF1α increases monocarboxylate transporter-4 (MCT4) expression in cancer cells, consistent with the high rate of glycolysis and the need to export high quantity of lactic acid in the extracellular environment [14]. Similarly, glycolysis and high expression levels of MCT4 are critical for the macrophage response [15]. Our group has recently demonstrated that HIF1α has a central role in the regulation of MSC glycolytic reprogramming and immunoregulatory properties; however, it is not known whether other metabolic mediators, such as AMPK, play a role in MSC functionality. Therefore, in the present study, we evaluated the impact of MSC metabolic changes on their immunoregulatory and therapeutic properties, and investigated the underlying mechanisms by focusing on AMPK role. To this aim, we analyzed the energetic profile of MSC in inflammatory conditions that activates their immunoregulatory properties. Additionally, we induced metabolic switches by incubating MSC with anti- and pro-glycolytic drugs.

Then, we investigated *in vitro* the functional consequences of mouse and human MSC metabolic reprogramming using T-cell proliferation tests. Finally, we tested *in vivo* the therapeutic effect of metabolically reprogrammed MSC in two mouse models of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) and humanized graft versus host disease (GVHD).

# Material and Methods

## MSC isolation and culture

Murine MSC were isolated from C57BL6 mice and characterized as previously described [16]. Human MSC derived from umbilical cord (UC-MSC), menstrual blood (MenSC), and bone marrow (BM-MSC) were isolated, expanded and fully characterized, as previously described [17-19]. All the experiments with human MSC were performed at early passages (P4-P8). All MSC were cultured in Dulbecco's modified eagle medium (DMEM) high glucose (Corning, USA) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 1% penicillin/streptomycin and 1% glutamine (Gibco, Thermo Fisher, USA), at 37 °C and 5% CO₂ in normoxia. When indicated, both murine MSC and UC-MSC were stimulated for 24 h with 20 ng/mL of interferon-γ (IFNγ) and 10 ng/mL of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) (R&D Systems, USA), or with 1 mM 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) for murine MSC or 5 mM 2DG for human MSC (Sigma-Aldrich, Merck, Germany), or with 1 µg/mL of oligomycin (Calbiochem, Merck, Germany). AMPK activity was inhibited with 10 µM of compound C (Calbiochem, Merck, Germany). All the procedures presented in this work were carried according to the US National Institutes of Health Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (NIH Publication No. 85-23, revised 1996), and were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of the Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile (Number 201630) and in agreement with the Ethical Committee for animal experimentation of the Languedoc-Roussillon (Approval CEEA-LR-2016050918509993).

## Immunosuppression assay

CD4+ T cells were freshly isolated from spleen of C57BL/6 mice by negative selection with the Dynabeads Untouched Mouse CD4 Cells Kit (Invitrogen, Thermo Fisher, USA) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Once purified, cells were labeled with CellTrace Violet (CTV) (Life-Technology, Thermo Fisher, USA) and activated with CD3/CD28 beads (Invitrogen, Thermo Fisher, USA). Lymphocytes were cultured in mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) medium, containing 10% FBS, 1% penicillin/streptomycin, 1% sodium pyruvate, 1%
non-essential amino acids, 1% glutamine and 25 µM β-mercaptoethanol (Gibco, Thermo Fisher, USA), in Iscove's Modified Dulbecco's Medium (IMDM) (Gibco, Thermo Fisher, USA). For differentiation towards the Th1 subtype, purified CD4+ T cells were stimulated with 10 ng/mL of IL12 (R&D Systems, USA) and 2.5 µg/mL of anti-IL4 antibodies (BD Pharmingen, BD Biosciences, USA). Differentiation towards the Th17 phenotype was induced with 50 ng/mL of IL6 (R&D Systems, USA), 2.5 ng/mL of TGFβ1 (R&D Systems, USA), and 2.5 µg/mL of anti-IFNγ (BD Pharmingen, USA) and 2.5 µg/mL of anti-IL4 antibodies (BD Pharmingen, USA).

To assess the immunosuppressive properties of murine MSC, CD4+ T cells were cultured alone or in the presence of MSC at a cell ratio of 1 MSC per 10 lymphocytes in MLR medium. After 72 h, CD4+ T cell proliferation and differentiation were quantified by flow cytometry.

For human MSC immunosuppressive assays, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from fresh blood samples donated by healthy donors, with Ficoll-Paque PLUS density gradient (GE Healthcare, USA). Isolated PBMC were stained with CTV and stimulated with 5 µg/mL of phytohemagglutinin-L (PHA; Sigma-Aldrich, Merck, Germany) and cultured in MLR medium for 4 days, with or without BM-MSC, MenSC, or UC-MSC at a ratio of 1 to 20 or 1 to 50 for UC-MSCs, as indicated in the figure legends.

## Flow cytometry

Lymphocyte proliferation and differentiation were quantified by flow cytometry. T cells were stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) (50 ng/mL; Merck, Germany) and ionomycin (1 mg/mL; Merck, Germany), in the presence of brefeldin A (10 mg/mL; Sigma, Merck, Germany) for 4 h. Then, cells were incubated with an antibody against CD25 (BD Pharmingen) and stained with the LIVE/DEAD Fixable near-IR stain (Invitrogen, Thermo Fisher, USA) to analyze only live cells. Then, cells were fixed at 4 °C with the FOXP3 Cytofix/Cytoperm buffer (eBioscience, USA) and stained with intracellular fluorochrome-conjugated antibodies against IFN-γ (BD Pharmingen), IL-17 (BD Pharmingen) and FOXP3 (eBioscience) diluted in Perm/Wash buffer (eBioscience, USA) according to the manufacturer's specifications.

## Metabolic measurements

Oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) were quantified using the Seahorse XF96 analyzer (Seahorse Biosciences, North Billerica, MA, USA), associated

with oxidative phosphorylation and secretion of lactic acid as a metabolic product of glycolysis, respectively. Pre-stimulated murine MSC (20,000 cells/well) or UC-MSC (12,500 cells/well) were plated on 96-well plates and analyzed according to the manufacturer's recommended protocol. Three independent readings were taken after each sequential injection. The instrument background was measured in separate control wells using the same conditions but without biologic material.

The basal glycolytic rate was calculated after glucose injection (after subtracting the ECAR rate inhibited by 2DG). The maximum glycolytic rate was measured after oligomycin injection and the glycolytic capacity as the difference of oligomycin-induced ECAR and 2DG-induced ECAR. OCR was measured in XF medium (non-buffered DMEM medium, containing 25 mM glucose, 2 mM L-glutamine, and 1mM sodium pyruvate) in basal conditions and in response to 1 µM oligomycin, 1 µM of carbonylcyanide-4-(trifluoromethoxy)-phenylhydrazone (FCCP) and 1 µM of antimycin A and rotenone (all chemicals from Sigma Aldrich). Basal OCR was calculated as the difference between the baseline measurements and the antimycin A/rotenone-induced OCR. The maximum OCR was the difference between the FCCP-induced OCR and antimycin A/rotenone-induced OCR.

## DTH mouse model

To assess the effect of MSC metabolic switch on the generation of different subpopulations of CD4+ T lymphocytes *in vivo*, a DTH inflammation model was used. DTH experiments were performed in accordance with the Languedoc-Roussillon Ethical Committee for animal experimentation (Approval CEEA-LR-2016050918509993). Complete Freund's adjuvant and albumin from chicken egg white (ovalbumin; Sigma-Aldrich, Merck, Germany) were injected in the lower back of BALB/c mice. Five days later a boost injection of ovalbumin was done directly in the hindlimb paws, concomitantly with 2x10⁵ MSC or PBS (control group). Paw swelling was measured 24 h after the boost and then mice were euthanized. Blood and draining lymph nodes were analyzed by flow cytometry to identify/quantify the CD4+ T lymphocyte populations.

## Humanized xenogeneic GVHD mouse model

NOD-scid IL2rcnull (NSG) mice from The Jackson Laboratory (Bar Harbor, ME, USA) were kept in the specific pathogen-free animal facility of Universidad de los Andes with water and food ad libitum, according to the international guidelines for animal care and the protocols approved by the
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (Folio CEC Number 201630, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile). When 10-12-week-old, mice were irradiated (2Gy) at the Chilean Commission for Nuclear Energy Facilities. After 24 h, 12×10⁶ human PBMC (obtained from buffy coats of healthy donors as described above) were injected in the tail (day 0). Two doses of 1×10⁶ MSC or PBS (control group) were injected intraperitoneally at day 0 and day 5. GVHD onset occurs typically 7 days post-PBMC injection and the body weight of the mice was monitored daily. Mice were euthanized when the total body weight loss was >20% of their baseline weight.

## Immunofluorescence

Murine MSC were grown on poly-L-lysine-coated (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA) glass coverslips in 24-well plates. Then, they were incubated with 20 ng/mL IFNγ and 10 ng/mL TNFα (R&D Systems, USA), or 1 mM 2DG (Sigma-Aldrich, Merck, Germany), or 1 µg/mL oligomycin (Calbiochem, Merck, Germany) for 24 h. Cell were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde in PBS for 30 min, washed with Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.8), and incubated in the same buffer with 1% bovine serum albumin and 0.2% Triton X-100 at room temperature for 10 min. Cells were then incubated with rabbit anti-GLUT2 (1:200, Alomone Labs), rabbit anti-MCT1 (1:100 Merck Millipore, MA, USA) and rabbit anti-MCT4 (1:100, Merck Millipore, MA, USA) antibodies. After incubation with Cy2-labeled secondary antibodies (1:200, Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories), cells were counterstained with the DNA stain TOPRO-3 (1:1000, Invitrogen), and analyzed using a confocal laser microscope (Carl Zeiss, LSM700).

## Immunoblotting

Total protein extracts were obtained from MSC cultures. Cells were lysed in RIPA buffer supplemented with protease inhibitor cocktail (ROCHE), and sonicated three times on ice at 300W. Proteins were resolved by SDS-PAGE (50 µg/lane) in 12% (w/v) polyacrylamide gels, transferred to PVDF membranes (0.45 µm pore, Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, Piscataway, NJ, USA), and probed at 4 °C with different antibodies (Table S1) for 16 h. After extensive washes, membranes were incubated with peroxidase-labeled anti-rabbit IgG (1:7000; Jackson ImmunoResearch, West Grove, PA, USA) or rabbit anti-chicken IgY (1:1000; Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories, Inc., PA, USA) for 24 h, followed by the enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) western blot analysis system (Amersham Biosciences, Pittsburgh, PA, USA). Images are representative of at least four immunoblotting analyses performed with samples

from at least four separate experiments. β-actin expression level was used as a loading control for densitometric analyses.

## Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR)

RT-PCR and real-time qPCR were performed as previously described [20]. Briefly total RNA from cell cultures was isolated using TRIzol™ (Invitrogen, USA) and then incubated with DNase I (Invitrogen) before RT. For RT, 2 µg RNA/sample was incubated in a 20 µL reaction volume containing 10× buffer for M-MuLV reverse transcriptase (New England BioLab, USA), 20U RNase inhibitor (New England BioLab, USA), 1mM dNTPs, 0.5 µg/µL random primers (Promega, USA), and 200 U M-MuLV reverse transcriptase (New England BioLab, USA) at 37 °C for 5 min, at 42 °C for 60 min and at 70 °C for 10 min. For real-time qPCR, reactions were prepared with Hot FIREPol® DNA polymerase (Solis Biodyne, Estonia) to a final volume of 20 µL containing 2 µL cDNA diluted 1:1 and 500 nM primer (Table S2), and carried out in an Mx3000P QPCR System (Agilent Technologies, USA). Thermal cycling conditions were: 10 min denaturation at 95 °C, followed by 40 cycles of denaturation at 95 °C for 30 s, annealing at 55 °C for 20 s, and extension at 72 °C for 20 s. The relative changes in gene expression were calculated with the relative quantification method (2⁻^ΔΔCt) and normalized according to the expression in basal conditions.

## Quantification of immunosuppressive molecules produced by MSC

The expression level of the immunosuppressive molecules TGFβ1, COX2 and IDO was quantified by real time qPCR analysis. To this aim, UC-MSC or murine MSC were plated in 6-well plated and stimulated with TNFα and IFNγ with or without 2DG or oligomycin for 24 h. Total RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, and qPCR were performed as previously described. Moreover, IDO levels were measured by quantification of L-kynurenine in UC-MSC, using an enzymatic assay as previously described [19]. PGE₂ level in murine MSC and human UC-MSC was quantified with an ELISA Kit (Thermo Fisher, USA) according to the manufacturer's instructions. PD-L1 (BD biosystem, USA) and GLUT1 (Metafora, FR) expression levels were measured in murine MSC by FACS.

## Metabolites quantification

Glucose, lactate, pyruvate and ammonia concentrations were measured using an Analyzer Y15
(BioSystems S.A., Spain) and the D-Glucose/D-Fructose (#12800), Pyruvate (#12826), L-Lactic Acid (#12802) and Ammonia (#12809) kits (BioSystems S.A., Spain). Glutamine concentration was measured with an YSI 2700 Biochemistry Analyzer (Yellow Springs Inc., USA).

## Metabolic mathematical modeling

Metabolic Flux Analysis (MFA) of the intracellular flux of metabolites in different conditions was carried out using the MetaFluxNet 1.8 software. The stoichiometric metabolic model was constructed to explain the MSC metabolic changes after each treatment. The model has 24 reactions and 20 metabolites. It includes reactions of glycolysis, tricarboxylic acids and oxidative phosphorylation. The experimental quantification data of four different metabolites (glucose, lactate, ammonia and glutamine) were used to determine the specific consumption or production rate and feed the model.

## Statistical analysis

Results were expressed as the mean ± SD. All *in vitro* experiments were performed at least four times using four different biological replicates. For the *in vivo* studies (DTH and GVHD models), 8 to 10 animals were used for each experimental or control group, and experiments were repeated at least three independent times. The *p* values were generated by non-parametric analysis using the Kruskal-Wallis test for multiple comparisons and the Mann-Whitney U test to compare two groups; *p* < 0.05 (*), *p* < 0.01 (**) or *p* < 0.001 (***) were considered statistically significant. All the analyses were performed using the GraphPad Prism TM 6 software (GraphPad Software, San Diego, California, USA).

## Results

### Inflammation triggers MSC immunosuppressive properties and induces their glycolytic reprogramming

We and others have shown that MSC activation with pro-inflammatory cytokines [21, 22], particularly TNFα and IFNγ, to mimic the pro-inflammatory environment, triggers the release of mediators of MSC immunoregulatory properties and their immunosuppressive potential [23]. Here, to determine whether inflammatory cytokines affect MSC metabolism, we compared MSC metabolic activity in basal culture conditions and after incubation with TNFα and IFNγ for 24 h. MSC activation with pro-inflammatory cytokines significantly reduced their basal and maximal OCR and their spare respiratory capacity (SRC), and increased the ECAR in

MSC supernatant (Figure 1A-B and Figure S1). The significant increase of the ECAR/OCR ratio of activated MSC compared with naïve MSC (Figure 1C) indicated a switch towards glycolysis. To test whether the expression of glucose transporters in MSC was upregulated by exposure to inflammatory stimuli, we measured the expression level of active GLUT1 (by flow cytometry using the Glut1-H2RBD-EGFP fusion protein that detects the active GLUT1 transporter present on MSC membranes) and total GLUT2 (by western blotting and immunofluorescence). Our results showed a significant increase of GLUT1 translocation to the cell membrane (Figure 1D) and of GLUT2 expression level upon stimulation with TNFα and IFNγ (Figure 1E-F and Figure S2A).

### The TNFα and IFNγ-induced glycolytic switch is associated with increased lactate export and expression of glycolytic enzymes

To test whether the glycolytic switch induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines was associated with the activity of the lactate-proton symporters, we evaluated the expression levels of monocarboxylate transporter (MCT) 1 and MCT4 in MSC by qPCR and immunofluorescence. MCT1 expression was significantly decreased (Figure 1G-H), whereas MCT4 mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly increased in MSC incubated with pro-inflammatory cytokines compared with naïve MSC (Figure 1I-J). This suggested an increase in the lactate export to the extracellular space, associated with the higher Km of MCT4 [24]. Moreover, western blotting showed that the expression of some enzymes associated with glycolysis (Figure S2B-D) was significantly increased: pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase isoform 1 (PDHK1) (Figure 1K) and the active phosphorylated form of phosphorylated-phosphofructokinase 2 (pPFKFB2) (Figure 1L) and phosphorylated Lactate dehydrogenase A (pLDH-A) (Figure 1M).

We then investigated whether this TNFα and IFNγ-induced glycolytic activity in MSC was associated with changes in the consumption of some metabolites or modification in the release of some products and metabolites. First, we observed that after 24 h incubation with TNFα and IFNγ, glucose uptake by MSC was increased (from 17.6 to 33.4 nM/cell) (Figure 1N), as well as lactate efflux (from 107 to 139 nM/cell) (Figure 1O). Conversely, pyruvate consumption was decreased (from 4.0 to 2.4 nM/cell) (Figure 1P), whereas glutamine consumption and ammonium efflux increased (from 4.4 to 6.8 nM/cell and from 12.3 to 17.4 nM/cell, respectively) (Figure 1Q-R).
<figure><img src="image_3.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 1.** MSC immunosuppressive activity is associated with a switch towards a glycolysis-dependent metabolism. (A-C) The metabolic profile of MSC incubated (orange) or not (black) with pro-inflammatory cytokines for 24 h was evaluated by measuring the oxygen consumption rates (OCR) (A), the extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) of the medium (B), and the ECAR/OCR ratio (C) using the Agilent Seahorse XF technology. Data are the mean ± SD of at least 4 independent experiments; \*\*\* p < 0.001 (unpaired Mann-Whitney test). (D-O) The expression, uptake, consumption or efflux of enzymes and metabolites associated with glycolysis or OXPHOS was determined in MSC incubated or not with TNFα and IFNγ for 24 h. The expression levels of the specific glucose transporters GLUT1 (D) and GLUT2 were quantified by FACS and western blotting (E), or immunofluorescence (F) analysis. The expression levels of the monocarboxylate transporters MCT1 (G, H) and MCT4 (I, J) were quantified by qPCR or immunofluorescence. The expression levels of enzymes associated with glycolysis, (K) PDHK1 and (L) phosphorylated (p) PFKFB2 and (M) pLDH, were quantified by western blotting. (N) 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) radioactive uptake in cultured MSC was assessed using 10 mM deoxyglucose (O) Lactate efflux, (P) pyruvate consumption rate, (Q) glutamine consumption rate and (R) ammonium efflux were quantified from the supernatants of murine MSC activated or not with TNFα and IFNγ using an YSI analyzer. Data are the mean ± SD of at least 4 independent experiments; \*: p < 0.05, \*: p < 0.01 (unpaired Mann-Whitney test).</figcaption></figure>

MSC metabolic flexibility is confirmed using pharmaceutical inhibitors

To understand the effect of MSC metabolic status on their immunosuppressive functions, we modified MSC metabolic activity by inducing a metabolic switch by incubation with oligomycin (to inhibit OXPHOS) or with 2DG (to inhibit glycolysis). Different concentrations of these drugs were tested to assess their effect on MSC viability, without showing apoptosis induction (data not shown). MSC metabolism monitoring showed that after incubation with oligomycin (MSC<sub>oligomycin</sub>), OCR was decreased and ECAR was increased compared with untreated control MSC (MSC<sub>CTL</sub>). Incubation with 2DG (MSC<sub>2DG</sub>) induced the opposite switch towards enhanced oxygen consumption and reduced ECAR (Figure 2A-B). The ECAR/OCR ratio confirmed that oligomycin induced an overall switch towards a glycolysis-dependent metabolism, and 2DG towards

an OXPHOS-dependent metabolism (Figure 2C). In agreement, GLUT1 membrane translocation was significantly increased in MSC<sub>oligomycin</sub>, and significantly decreased in MSC<sub>2DG</sub> compared with MSC<sub>CTL</sub> (Figure 2D). GLUT2 protein level was slightly, but not significantly increased in MSC<sub>oligomycin</sub> (Figure 2E-F). MCT1 expression level was significantly decreased in both MSC<sub>oligomycin</sub> and MSC<sub>2DG</sub> compared with MSC<sub>CTL</sub> (Figure 2G-H). Conversely, MCT4 expression was significantly increased in MSC<sub>oligomycin</sub> and was reduced in MSC<sub>2DG</sub> (Figure 2I-J). These results indicated that GLUT1 and MCT4 might play a key role in MSC metabolic switch induced by oligomycin and 2DG. Similarly to the results obtained in MSC stimulated with TNFα and IFNγ, the expression of glycolytic enzymes was increased in MSC<sub>oligomycin</sub>, including a slight increase of PDHK1 (Figure 2K), pPFKFB2 (Figure 2L) and a significant increase of pLDH (Figure 2M)
(representative western blot of all enzymes in Figure S2). Additionally, in MSC<sub>oligomycin</sub> (red bar) glucose uptake (Figure 2N), lactate production (Figure 2O) and ammonium efflux (Figure 2R) were increased and pyruvate consumption (Figure 2P) was decreased. Glutamine consumption was not affected (Figure 2Q). In MSC<sub>2DG</sub> (dark red bar), glucose uptake and lactate efflux were decreased, whereas pyruvate and glutamine consumption were increased (Figure 2N-R). Using MFA, a mathematical model of cell metabolism (Figure 2S) that included glycolysis, tricarboxylic acids and oxidative phosphorylation reactions, we established that in association with the amount of glucose consumed by MSC, 56% and 45% of the produced pyruvate was converted to lactate in MSC<sub>oligomycin</sub> and MSC<sub>2DG</sub>, respectively. We also established a link between glutamine consumption and glucose consumption that reached 6% and 23% in MSC<sub>oligomycin</sub> and MSC<sub>2DG</sub>, respectively. Thus, the increase in glucose consumption and lactate production rates, and the decrease in glutamine consumption, which is associated with a lower requirement of metabolic intermediates for the Krebs cycle, showed that oligomycin promotes a glycolytic metabolic state in MSC. Conversely, 2DG induces an oxidative metabolism.

## Metabolic reprogramming dictates MSC immunoregulatory potential *in vitro* and *in vivo*

Then, we assessed the immunoregulatory potential of MSC<sub>oligomycin</sub> and MSC<sub>2DG</sub> *in vitro* by co-culturing them with freshly isolated mouse CD4<sup>+</sup> T cells after they were differentiated into Th1 and Th17 cells. T-cell proliferation and phenotype analysis by FACS after 3 days of co-culture, showed that oligomycin greatly enhanced MSC immunosuppressive activity towards Th1 (Figure 3A-B) and Th17 (Figure 3C-D) compared with MSC<sub>CTL</sub>. Conversely, 2DG significantly reduced MSC immunosuppressive capacities (Figure 3A) towards Th1 (Figure 3A-B) and Th17 (Figure 3C-D) cells. Importantly, co-culture with MSC<sub>oligomycin</sub> and MSC<sub>2DG</sub> did not affect the generation of Treg cells from naïve CD4<sup>+</sup> T cells neither induce T-cells apoptosis (data not shown). MSC immunosuppressive activity depends on the production of different molecules, including PD-L1, PGE<sub>2</sub> and NO<sub>2</sub>, that is stimulated by incubation with TNFα and IFNγ for 24 h [25]. Production of PGE<sub>2</sub> (Figure 3E) and PD-L1 (Figure 3F), but not of NO<sub>2</sub> (Figure 3G) by MSC<sub>oligomycin</sub> was already increased in basal conditions compared with MSC<sub>CTL</sub>, and was further enhanced by incubation with TNFα and IFNγ. Conversely, in basal conditions, production of PGE<sub>2</sub> (Figure 3E), PD-L1 (Figure 3F) and NO<sub>2</sub> (Figure 3G) was comparable in MSC<sub>2DG</sub> and

MSC<sub>CTL</sub>, and the TNFα/IFNγ-mediated stimulation of PGE<sub>2</sub> (Figure 3E) and PD-L1 (Figure 3F) production was significantly lower by MSC<sub>2DG</sub> than MSC<sub>oligomycin</sub>. These results revealed that the glycolytic switch of MSC induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines governs the production of immunosuppressive mediators.

To further assess the therapeutic efficacy of MSC<sub>2DG</sub> and MSC<sub>oligomycin</sub> we used a mouse model of DTH to evaluate T cell-mediated immune responses [26] (Figure 4A). In mice treated with MSC<sub>oligomycin</sub> paw swelling was reduced compared with animals that received MSC<sub>2DG</sub>, MSC<sub>CTL</sub>, or no MSC (Figure 4B). This indicated that MSC metabolic switch towards glycolysis enhances their therapeutic and anti-inflammatory functions. This clinical effect was correlated with the significantly lower number of Th1 and Th17 cells detected in peripheral blood (Figure 4C-D) and popliteal lymph nodes (Figure 4E-F) (Representative dot plot in Figure S3) of DTH mice that received MSC<sub>oligomycin</sub> compared with mice treated with MSC<sub>2DG</sub> or MSC<sub>CTL</sub>. This effect was not associated with changes in the Treg number in the peripheral blood and popliteal lymph nodes (data not shown). Altogether, these data suggest that the pharmacological modification of MSC metabolism toward glycolysis significantly improves their immunoregulatory abilities *in vitro* and *in vivo*.

## Upon oligomycin incubation, human MSC also switch to glycolysis and show enhanced immunosuppressive capacities

To test the role of the metabolic modulation on the immunosuppressive functions of human MSC, we first incubated human UC-MSC with pro-inflammatory cytokines and then measured their metabolic activity. As observed in murine MSC, UC-MSC activation by TNFα and IFNγ significantly decreased OCR (Figure S4A), and induced glycolysis (Figure S4B). The ECAR/OCR ratio (Figure S4C) and lactate production (Figure S4D) also were significantly increased in UC-MSC activated with TNFα and IFNγ. Moreover, after incubation with 2DG and oligomycin, UC-MSC were metabolically reprogramed toward the OXPHOS and glycolytic metabolism, respectively, as observed with murine MSC. Indeed, OCR was significantly reduced (Figure S4E) and ECAR increased (Figure S4F) in UC-MSC<sub>oligomycin</sub>, compared with control cells (UC-MSC<sub>CTL</sub>). We observed the opposite effect in UC-MSC incubated with 2DG. Consequently, the ECAR/OCR ratio was significantly increased in UC-MSC<sub>oligomycin</sub> and decreased in UC-MSC<sub>2DG</sub>, compared with UC-MSC<sub>CTL</sub> (Figure S4G). Lactate production was significantly increased in UC-MSC<sub>oligomycin</sub>, but not in UC-MSC<sub>2DG</sub> compared with UC-MSC<sub>CTL</sub> (Figure S4H).
Moreover, the glycolytic switch induced by removal from the medium (Figure S4I-K). oligomycin was very stable, up to 72 h after its

<figure><img src="image_4.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 2.** In MSC, oligomycin and 2DG induce opposite metabolic profiles that replicate or prevent the metabolic switch observed upon classical cytokine stimulation. The metabolic profile of control MSC (black) or incubated with 2DG (yellow) or oligomycin (red) for 24h was evaluated by measuring the OCR (A), ECAR (B) and ECAR/OCR ratio (C) using the Agilent Seahorse XF technology. Data are the mean ± SD of at least 4 independent experiments; \*: p < 0.01, \*\* p < 0.001, \*\*\* p < 0.0001 (unpaired Mann-Whitney test). Components of the molecular pathways associated with glycolysis or OXPHOS were analyzed in MSC incubated or not with 2DG or oligomycin</figcaption></figure>
for 24 h. The expression levels of the specific glucose transporters GLUT1 (D) and GLUT2 were quantified by FACS and western blotting (E) and immunofluorescence (F). The expression levels of MCT1 (G, H) and MCT4 (I, J) were quantified by qPCR and immunofluorescence. The expression levels of the glycolysis-associated enzymes PDHK1 (K), phosphorylated (p) PFKFB2 (L) and p-LDH (M) were quantified by western blotting. Glucose consumption (N), lactate efflux (O), pyruvate consumption (P), glutamine consumption (Q) and ammonium efflux (R) were quantified from the supernatants of murine MSC incubated or not with 2DG or oligomycin using an YSI analyzer. Data are the mean ± SD of at least 4 independent experiments; *: p < 0.05, **: p < 0.01, ***: p < 0.001 (unpaired Kruskal-Wallis test). (S) Metabolic flux analysis by mathematical modelling of glycolysis, Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation reactions that represent the cellular metabolism state.

<figure><img src="image_5.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 3.** The immunosuppressive abilities of MSC depend on their metabolic status. Glycolysis drives MSC suppressive effect on pro-inflammatory Th1 and Th17 cells *in vitro*. Naïve CD4⁺ T cells from Bl6 mice were labeled with CTV and induced to differentiate into Th1 (A-B) and Th17 (C-D) cells and cultured alone (white bar) or in the presence of control MSC (untreated; black bar) or pre-incubated with oligomycin (red bar) to inhibit OXPHOS, or 2DG (yellow) to inhibit glycolysis. T-cell proliferation and the pro-inflammatory phenotype (IFNγ and IL17 production for Th1 and Th17, respectively) were evaluated by FACS. Results are the mean ± SD of 4 independent experiments with 3 different mice each time; *: p < 0.05, **: p < 0.01, ***: p < 0.001 (unpaired Kruskal-Wallis test). Unless otherwise indicated, comparisons were with CD4-Th1 or CD4-Th17 cultured alone. (E-G) MSC glycolytic switch increases the production of classical immunosuppressive factors *in vitro*. MSC were incubated or not with oligomycin or 2DG in the presence or absence of TNFα and IFNγ for 24 h, and then the production of NO₂ (G) and PGE₂ (E) was evaluated in the cell supernatants. PD-L1 expression in MSC (F) was evaluated by FACS using the geometric mean fluorescence Intensity (MFI) quantification. Results represent the mean ± SD of 4 independent experiments; *: p < 0.05, **: p < 0.01, ***: p < 0.001 (unpaired Kruskal-Wallis test). Unless otherwise indicated, comparisons were with MSC in basal conditions.</figcaption></figure>

Next, we compared the immunomodulatory potential of BM-MSC, UC-MSC, and MenSC, which were previously characterized according to the ISCT minimal criteria [27], by co-culturing them with PBMC isolated from healthy donors. Incubation with 2DG significantly impaired the intrinsic suppressive activity of human MSC (different donors) on CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell proliferation (Figure 5A and Figure 5B, respectively). Conversely, incubation with oligomycin significantly increased their suppressive activity to comparable levels (all donors) (Figure

5A-B). Comparison of UC-MSC derived from different donors showed a great variability in their immunoregulatory activity towards CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells (Figure 5C-D), as previously reported [28]. Incubation with 2DG did not affect their immunoregulatory potential, conversely oligomycin significantly increased their suppressive capacity towards CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells proliferation (Figure 5C-D). As pro-inflammatory cytokines might boost the immunosuppressive capacity of human MSC [22], we incubated UC-MSC with TNFα and IFNγ.
However, we detected only a slight increase of the inhibition of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell proliferation, compared with UC-MSC<sub>CTL</sub>, unlike oligomycin that significantly increased this inhibitory effect (Figure S4A-B). Moreover, the percentage of IFNγ-producing CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells was significantly reduced only when co-cultured with UC-MSC<sub>oligomycin</sub> (Figure S4D-E), but not with UC-MSC<sub>2DG</sub>. We then studied the effect of metabolic reprogramming on the production of immune mediators (PD-L1, PGE₂ and IDO) by human UC-MSC. In basal conditions, production of PD-L1 and PGE₂ was comparable in UC-MSC<sub>CTL</sub>, UC-MSC<sub>oligomycin</sub> and UC-MSC<sub>2DG</sub>. However, after stimulation with TNFα and IFNγ, production of PD-L1 (Figure 5E) and PGE₂ (Figure 5F), but not IDO (Figure S5C), was significantly increased in UC-MSC<sub>oligomycin</sub>.

We also tested inhibitors of the electron transport chain, including inhibitors of complex III and IV, such as atovaquone and potassium cyanide

(Figure S5F-G), and inhibitors of the ATP synthase complex, such as venturicidin, resveratrol and piceatannol. UC-MSC immunosuppressive activity was enhanced only by inhibitors of the ATP synthase complex (Figure S5H-I), suggesting a rather specific candidate target for therapeutic enhancement of MSC.

To determine whether oligomycin could improve UC-MSC therapeutic efficacy in vivo, we used a mouse model of GVHD to study the interaction between effector cells and UC-MSC, both of human origin. To this aim, we co-injected PBMC and UC-MSC<sub>CTL</sub>, UC-MSC<sub>2DG</sub> or UC-MSC<sub>oligomycin</sub>, and then monitored weight loss in mice (Figure 5G). Survival rate was comparable in untreated mice and in mice that received UC-MSC<sub>CTL</sub> or UC-MSC<sub>2DG</sub>. Conversely, survival rate was slightly improved in mice treated with UC-MSC<sub>oligomycin</sub> (Figure 5H). Of note, we were not able to detect human proinflammatory cytokines such as TNFα or IFN-γ in the serum of GVHD mice.

<figure><img src="image_6.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 4.** Glycolytic MSC show enhanced therapeutic potential in a murine arthritic DTH model. Scheme of the DTH murine model. The boost injection of ovalbumin was performed at the same time as the treatment with MSC or PBS (control) (A). Paw swelling was determined in the hindlimb 24h after the boost and MSC injections (B). The generation of pro-inflammatory T-cells was assessed in peripheral blood (C, D) and in draining lymph nodes (E, F) of untreated DTH mice (gray) and DTH mice treated with control MSC (black) or MSC pre-incubated with oligomycin (red) or 2DG (orange). Results represent the mean ± SD of 3 independent experiments with at least 10 animals per experimental group; \*: p < 0.05, \*\*: p < 0.01, \*\*\*: p < 0.001 (unpaired Kruskal Wallis test). Unless otherwise indicated, comparisons were with untreated DTH mice.</figcaption></figure>
<figure><img src="image_7.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 5.** Oligomycin synchronizes and enhances the immunosuppressive potential of human MSC. Percentage of proliferating CD4⁺ (A) and CD8⁺ T cells (B) in PBMC cultured alone or with human MSC derived from bone marrow (BM-MSC), umbilical cord (UC-MSC) and menstrual tissue (MenSC) (different donors) and pre-incubated or not (Control) with 2DG or oligomycin. Cells were co-cultured at a ratio of 1:10 (MSC:PBMC). All MSC types switched to glycolysis displayed enhanced immunosuppressive function. Results represent the mean ± SD of 3 independent experiments with 3 different PBMC and 3 MSC donors. The immunosuppressive potential of UC-MSC from different donors, pre-incubated with 2DG or oligomycin, was assessed with PHA-activated human PBMC at a 1:50 ratio (UC-MSC:PBMC) for 4 days. Proliferation of CD4⁺ (C) and CD8⁺ (D) T cells was quantified by FACS. Glycolytic UC-MSC increased the expression of classical immunosuppressive factors *in vitro*, in a pro-inflammatory environment. UC-MSC were pre-incubated or not (black bars) with 1 µg/mL oligomycin (red) or 5 µM of 2DG (orange) in the presence or absence of TNFα and IFNγ for 24 h, and then, PD-L1 expression (E) and PGE₂ production (F) were evaluated by FACS and ELISA, respectively. Results represent the mean ± SD of 3 independent experiments with 4 different UC-MSC donors; *: p < 0.05, **: p < 0.01, ***: p < 0.001 (unpaired Kruskal-Wallis test). Unless otherwise indicated, comparisons were with UC-MSC in basal conditions. The glycolytic status of UC-MSC significantly influenced the therapeutic efficacy of UC-MSC in a GVHD model. (G) Representative scheme of the GVHD murine model. (H) UC-MSC pre-incubated or not with oligomycin were co-injected with PBMC followed by a second infusion of PBMC 5 days later. The mouse weight was monitored daily, and the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis shows the percentage of mice that did not lose more than 20% of their original weight (2 independent experiments with at least 10 animals per experimental group); #: p < 0.05 versus control group (no MSC injection).</figcaption></figure>

AMPK governs the immunosuppressive activity of glycolytic MSC

AMPK has a very active role as cellular energy
sensor and master controller of the adaptive response
to changes in the metabolic requirements [29].
Therefore, we asked whether AMPK signaling could
be implicated in MSC metabolic switch induced by
pro-inflammatory cytokines or by pharmacological

treatment, and in the subsequent modulation of their
suppressive activity. To this aim, we incubated
murine MSC with TNFα and IFNγ, 2DG or
oligomycin for 4 h before assessment of AMPK
activation (i.e. AMPK phosphorylation on Thr172).
AMPK phosphorylation level was significantly
increased in MSC incubated with TNFα/IFNγ or
oligomycin, but not with 2-DG (Figure 6A). Moreover,
HIF1α expression was significantly increased in
MSC<sub>oligomycin</sub>, and decreased in MSC<sub>2DG</sub> (Figure S6), compared with MSC<sub>CTL</sub>. Therefore, to determine whether AMPK activity is implicated in the enhancement of the immunosuppressive function of MSC<sub>oligomycin</sub>, we co-cultured CD4<sup>+</sup> T cells induced to differentiate into Th1 and Th17 cells with murine MSC<sub>CTL</sub> or MSC incubated with oligomycin alone or in combination with compound C, a specific AMPK inhibitor. AMPK activity inhibition limited the enhancement of MSC suppressive activity (proliferation and phenotype) mediated by oligomycin towards both Th1 (Figure 6B-C) and Th17 cells (Figure 6D-E). These findings demonstrate that incubation with oligomycin or pro-inflammatory cytokines increases MSC immunosuppressive properties through AMPK signaling pathway activation.

Discussion

This study provides solid evidence that MSC metabolic reprogramming significantly influences their therapeutic potential, and identified new molecular targets that control and connect both pathways. Specifically, we found that 1) priming MSC immunoregulatory and therapeutic potential using pro-inflammatory cytokines is associated with a glycolytic metabolic switch, 2) the pharmacologically-induced glycolytic switch in murine and human MSC substantially increases their anti-inflammatory and therapeutic effects, suggesting the ATP synthase complex is a specific target to achieve this goal, and 3) AMPK contributes to MSC glycolytic activity that drives their immunosuppressive activity.

<figure><img src="image_8.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 6.** AMPK regulates the suppressive activity of glycolytic MSCs. The activity of AMPK (one of the main energy sensor in the cell) was evaluated after induction of the metabolic switch. Phosphorylated (p) AMPK and total AMPK (A) were quantified by western blotting. To determine AMPK role in glycolytic MSC suppressive potential towards pro-inflammatory Th1 and Th17 cells in vitro, naïve CD4<sup>+</sup> T cells from Bl6 mice were labeled with CTV and induced to differentiate into Th1 (B-C) or Th17 (D-E) cells and cultured alone (white bar) or in the presence of murine MSC pre-incubated or not (black bar; Control) with oligomycin, with (stripy red bar) or without (red bar) compound C to inhibit AMPK activity. The T-cell proliferation and pro-inflammatory phenotype (IFNγ and IL17 production for Th1 and Th17, respectively) were evaluated by FACS. Results represent the mean ± SD of 4 independent experiments; \*: p < 0.05, \*\*: p < 0.01, \*\*\*: p < 0.001 (unpaired Kruskal-Wallis test). Unless otherwise indicated, comparisons were with CD4-Th1 or CD4-Th17 cultured alone.</figcaption></figure>
MSC immunoregulatory effects are triggered by
inflammation that is increased in response to tissue
injury or during inflammatory or autoimmune
diseases. In vitro, in response to pro-inflammatory
factors, such IFNγ and TNFα, MSC release several
factors that display immunoregulatory functions [22,
30-32], making them a candidate of choice for the
treatment of disorders with an inflammatory phase.
However, depending on the treatment and the disease
phase, injected MSC can be exposed to different
inflammatory stimuli that can modulate their
immunosuppressive functions (increase or even loss)
[33]. These clinical parameters, in addition to the short
period of time when injected MSC are detectable in
vivo, narrow the therapeutic window of MSC [33].
Here, we found that MSC activation by IFNγ and
TNFα promotes MSC metabolic switch towards
glycolysis. This is in line with recent studies showing
that inflammation associated with pro-inflammatory
cytokines induces a metabolic switch of human MSC
towards a glycolysis-dependent metabolism [4, 6].
Moreover, MSC co-priming with IFNγ and hypoxia
enhances two times more their immunosuppressive
properties via a glycolytic switch [34]. This metabolic
switch, leading to lactate production and inhibition of
T cell proliferation, might enhance, extend and
guarantee MSC therapeutic effects, regardless of the
timing of injection.

During cancer progression, the metabolic
competition between immune cells and tumor cells
leads to a forced metabolic restriction of immune cells
by cancer cells [35]. Aerobic glycolysis is pivotal for
the effector functions of T cells, and glucose
consumption by tumors in a PD-L1-dependent
manner substantially alters T cell function, promoting
cancer progressions [35]. Here, we found that
TNFα/IFNγ-induced MSC glycolytic switch with
activation of their immunosuppressive functions was
associated with increased glucose uptake and lactate
efflux. Moreover, activation of MSC<sub>oligomycin</sub> by TNFα
and IFNγ further enhanced PD-L1 expression level
and MSC production of other immunosuppression
mediators, such as PGE<sub>2</sub>.

To better characterize the highly immuno-
suppressive glycolytic MSC, we analyzed the
expression profile of glucose transporters and
metabolic enzymes upon incubation with pro-
inflammatory cytokines. The mechanism and role of
glucose uptake in MSC immunoregulatory properties
have not been investigated yet. We showed that the
significant increase of glucose uptake by MSC
incubated with pro-inflammatory cytokines was
associated with an increased expression of the glucose
transporters GLUT1 and GLUT2. The GLUT
transporter family includes fourteen members that are

facilitative glucose transporters to allow glucose
uptake [36]. Glucose uptake by glucose transporters
has a direct impact on cell functions and on the
activity of metabolic enzymes. This was confirmed by
the increased expression of PDHK1 and the active
phosphorylated form of crucial enzymes of the
glycolytic pathways, such as PFKB2 and LDH-A.
Altogether, these data revealed the upregulation of
most metabolic enzymes in MSC after the glycolytic
switch, which is not surprising in glycolytic cells that
exhibit immunoregulatory functions.

To further confirm the enhanced immuno-
regulatory activity of MSC<sub>oligomycin</sub>, we used two
inflammatory experimental models: DTH for murine
MSC and GVHD for human MSC because it allows
studying the interactions between T lymphocytes and
MSC [37, 38]. MSC glycolytic reprogramming
enhanced their immunosuppressive properties also in
vivo. Indeed, MSC<sub>oligomycin</sub> displayed enhanced
capacity to inhibit T cell-mediated inflammation in
the DTH model. This effect was associated with
inhibition of Th17 and Th1 cells. Similarly, the
survival rate in GVHD mice was slightly increased by
treatment with MSC<sub>oligomycin</sub>, in line with studies
showing that MSC are effective in the treatment of
GVHD in preclinical and clinical trials [39-43]. Since
the GVHD experiment was finished when all the mice
started to gain weight, we might be able to
inadvertently eliminate data that could give us a
better understanding of the therapeutic efficacy of
MSC<sub>oligomycin</sub>. For this reason, it would be interesting
to evaluate the effect of UC-MSC<sub>oligomycin</sub> for longer
periods of time on the GVHD murine model.

Finally, we identified a novel mechanism
underlying MSC activation by pro-inflammatory
cytokines. Indeed, by focusing on glycolytic metabolic
pathways, we observed a significant increase of
AMPK phosphorylation at Thr172 in MSC incubated
with TNFα and IFNγ- and to a lower extent, with
oligomycin. It has been reported that AMPK activity
increases by more than 100-fold when AMPK is
phosphorylated at Thr172 and by more than 1000-fold
when phosphorylation at Thr172 is combined with
allosteric regulation mediated by an increase in the
AMP/ATP and ADP/ATP ratios [44]. Moreover,
AMPK promotes glucose uptake by phosphorylating
thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP), which
controls GLUT1 translocation and cell-surface levels
[45]. Accordingly, our results showed an increased
GLUT1 translocation to the membrane in MSC after
TNFα and IFNγ stimulation. Moreover, we recently
reported that TNFα and IFNγ stimulation
significantly increases HIF-1α expression and
translocation to the nucleus [46]. Here, we observed
decreased oxygen consumption and increased LDH-A
phosphorylation that was associated with increased
lactate production and glucose consumption. It has
been reported that the LDH-A promoter contains
HIF-1α binding sites [47, 48] and this might explain
the increased expression of LDH-A. In addition, TNFα
and IFNγ also increase LDH-A phosphorylation at
Tyr10 that in turn upregulates LDH-A activity.
LDH-A phosphorylation at Tyr10 regulates the
NADH/NAD+ redox homeostasis, promoting
glycolysis [49]. HIF1α also increases MCT4 expression
through hypoxia response elements found in the
MCT4 promoter [50, 51], which is consistent with its
proposed role in exporting lactic acid produced by
glycolysis [52] and with MSC immunosuppression
[46]. Our results show that the metabolic switch
induced by oligomycin enhances MSC immuno-
suppressive activity via an AMPK-dependent
mechanism. Many evidences indicate that AMPK
activation suppresses inflammatory responses
through the inhibition of NF-κB and JAK-STAT
signaling [53, 54]. This is mediated by the activation of
different pathways, such as FOXO, SIRT1 and p53 [53,
55]. Moreover, AMPK activation reduces
macrophages proliferation induced by oxidized low-
density lipoprotein [56]. In addition, several reports
indicate that AMPK can promote autophagy through
phosphorylation and activation of unc-51-like
autophagy-activating kinase 1 (ULK1), a serine/
threonine kinase that triggers autophagy initiation
[57, 58]. Autophagy regulates MSC immuno-
suppressive properties towards CD4+ T cells through
TGF-β1 and CXCL8 secretion [59] [60], suggesting that
AMPK sustains metabolism, and also immune
responses. We recently showed *in vitro* and *in vivo* that
HIF1α inhibition in MSC reduces their inhibitory
potential towards Th1 and Th17 cell generation and
their capacity to produce Treg cells, through a
metabolic switch from glycolysis to OXPHOS [46].
Although AMPK and HIF1α show some antagonistic
properties (AMPK activates catabolic mechanisms to
generate energy, while HIF promotes anabolic
processes), it has been proposed that there is a
reciprocal regulation between AMPK and HIF1α that
is cell/tissue-specific and context-dependent [29]. For
example, AMPK regulates HIF1α nuclear
accumulation that is critical for the generation of the
hypoxia response [61]. In addition, AMPK can
phosphorylate and activate SIRT1 [62] that in parallel
stabilizes HIF1α through binding and deacetylation
during hypoxia [62-65].

Altogether these data not only provide new
insights into the molecular and metabolic pathways
affected by bioenergetic reprogramming, but also
confirm that MSC metabolic switch towards
glycolysis enhances their immunoregulatory and

therapeutic potential. Particularly, we found that ATP
synthase inhibition is a specific strategy for functional
enhancement of MSC. This strategy is reproducible,
cheap and generates a very stable phenotype,
compared with other approaches, such as exposure to
proinflammatory cytokines or culture in hypoxic
conditions. Thus, this study opens novel avenues for
MSC-based immune-mediated disease therapy.

Summary

The AMPK signaling pathway controls the
metabolic status, immunoregulatory properties and
therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells.

**Supplementary Material**

Supplementary figures and tables.
http://www.thno.org/v11p0445s1.pdf

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Dr Naomi
Taylor for her help, advices and comments. This work
was supported by grants from the Chilean National
Commission for Scientific and Technological
Investigation-CONICYT: "Fondecyt Iniciación"
Nº11160929, "Fondecyt Iniciación" Nº11190690
"Fondecyt Regular" Nº1170852, "Programa de apoyo
a la formación de redes internacionales" Nº180211;
"Programa de Cooperación Científica ECOS-
CONICYT" Nº PC18S04-ECOS180032; Beca
Doctorado Nacional 2014 RC-L Nº 21141173; "Beca
Doctorado Nacional" 2019 NL-C Nº 2191997;
"Fondecyt Postdoctorado" Nº 3190462 and "Proyecto
FAI: "Venida profesor extranjero", 2018",
Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile. Proyecto
VRID-iniciación Nº 219.031.116-INI and Proyecto
VRID asociativo Nº 218.031.113-1, Universidad de
Concepción, Concepción, Chile. We also acknowledge
the Agence Nationale pour la Recherche (ANR) for
the financial support with the project "PPAROA"
(ANR-18-CE18-0010-02), Inserm, the University of
Montpellier and the "Fondation Arthritis". The
authors would like to specially thank to Macarena
Ocaña and Claudia Rubí (C4C-Regenero Animal
Facility) for technical expertise and assistance in the *in
vivo* experiments, and the staff of the platform
SMARTY (part of "Réseau des Animaleries de
Montpellier, France") for expert care of mice.

Author contributions

R.C.L, R.E.V., P.L.C. and F.D. designed the all
project and the experiments with the input of M.G.R.,
CJ., C.A., and M.K.

R.C.L., R.E.V., N.L.C, G.T., C.P.M. A.M.V, M.S.,
M.P.M, M.J.T., M.C.M, Y.R.G., K.O., C.P. and P.L.C.
performed the experiments and analyzed the results.
R.C.L, R.E.V., P.L.C. and F.D. wrote the manuscript with the input of M.K., C.J, C.A. and M.G.R.

## Competing Interests

The authors have declared that no competing interest exists.

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