SLAMF1-peptide mediated epigenetic priming reprograms innate immune responses in sepsis

Abstract

Sepsis is characterized by profound immune dysregulation, including impaired innate immune responses and epigenetic reprogramming of monocytes. However, strategies to therapeutically restore immune function remain limited. Here, we identify a cell-penetrating peptide, P7-Pen, as a modulator of monocyte epigenetic state and inflammatory responsiveness. Using primary human monocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy donors and sepsis patients, we demonstrate that P7-Pen enhances cytokine production in response to Toll-like receptor stimulation while having minimal effects under basal conditions. P7-Pen treatment increased global histone acetylation, particularly H3 acetylation, and prevented the development of endotoxin tolerance. Transcriptomic and functional analyses revealed restoration of inflammatory gene expression, including TNF, IL6, and IFNB1, in otherwise hyporesponsive cells. Mechanistically, we identified the lysine deacetylase ABHD14B as a direct binding partner of P7-Pen. Silencing of ABHD14B recapitulated the effects of P7-Pen, leading to enhanced histone acetylation and cytokine production. Importantly, P7-Pen selectively potentiated responses to TLR ligands without inducing basal hyperinflammation. Collectively, our findings identify ABHD14B-dependent epigenetic regulation as a key checkpoint in innate immune tolerance and establish P7-Pen as a novel tool to restore immune responsiveness in sepsis.