YY1 promotes IL-6 expression in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells by interacting with p65 to promote transcriptional activation of IL-6

Neuroinflammation plays a critical role in the process of neurodegenerative disorders, during which microglia, the principal resident immune cells in the central nervous system, are activated and produce proinflammatory mediators. Yin-Yang 1 (YY1), a multi-functional transcription factor, is widely expressed in cells of the immune system and participate in various cellular processes. However, whether YY1 is involved in the process of neuroinflammation is still unknown. In the present study, we found that YY1 was progressively up-regulated in BV2 microglial cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which was dependent on the transactivation function of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Furthermore, YY1 knockdown notably inhibited LPS-induced the activation of NF-κB signaling and interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression in BV-2 cells, but not mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. Moreover, YY1 strengthened p65 binding to IL-6 promoter by interacting with p65 but decreased H3K27ac modification on IL-6 promoter, eventually increasing IL-6 transcription. Taken together, these results for the first time uncover the regulatory mechanism of YY1 on IL-6 expression during neuroinflammation responses and provide new lights into neuroinflammation.