Serotonin drives the acquisition of a profibrotic and anti-inflammatory gene profile through the 5-HT7R-PKA signaling axis

Peripheral serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) regulates cell growth and differentiation in numerous cell types through engagement of seven types of cell surface receptors (HTR1–7). Deregulated 5-HT/HTR levels contribute to pathology in chronic inflammatory diseases, with macrophages being relevant targets for the physio-pathological effects of 5-HT. In fact, 5-HT skews human macrophage polarization through engagement of 5-HT2BR and 5-HT7R receptors. We now report that 5-HT primes macrophages for reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine production and IFN type I-mediated signaling, and promotes an anti-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic gene signature in human macrophages. The acquisition of the 5-HT-dependent gene profile primarily depends on the 5-HT7R receptor and 5-HT7R-initiated PKA-dependent signaling. In line with the transcriptional results, 5-HT upregulates TGFβ1 production by human macrophages in an HTR7- and PKA-dependent manner, whereas the absence of Htr7 in vivo results in diminished macrophage infiltration and collagen deposition in a mouse model of skin fibrosis. Our results indicate that the anti-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic activity of 5-HT is primarily mediated through the 5-HT7R-PKA axis, and that 5-HT7R contributes to pathology in fibrotic diseases.