Legionella pneumophila modulates macrophage functions through epigenetic reprogramming via the C-type lectin receptor Mincle

Highlights•L. pneumophila-derived factors reprogram macrophages into a tolerogenic state•Their epigenetic state is characterized by increased H3K9me3 and decreased H3K4me3•The C-type lectin receptor Mincle is crucial for mediating tolerance inductionSummaryLegionella pneumophila is a pathogen which can lead to a severe form of pneumonia in humans known as Legionnaires disease after replication in alveolar macrophages. Viable L. pneumophila actively secrete effector molecules to modulate the host's immune response. Here, we report that L. pneumophila-derived factors reprogram macrophages into a tolerogenic state, a process to which the C-type lectin receptor Mincle (CLEC4E) markedly contributes. The underlying epigenetic state is characterized by increases of the closing mark H3K9me3 and decreases of the opening mark H3K4me3, subsequently leading to the reduced secretion of the cytokines TNF, IL-6, IL-12, the production of reactive oxygen species, and cell-surface expression of MHC-II and CD80 upon re-stimulation. In summary, these findings provide important implications for our understanding of Legionellosis and the contribution of Mincle to reprogramming of macrophages by L. pneumophila.Graphical abstract