scholarly journals The zebrafish NLRP3 inflammasome has functional roles in ASC-dependent interleukin-1β maturation and gasdermin E–mediated pyroptosis

2019 ◽  
Vol 295 (4) ◽  
pp. 1120-1141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiang-Yuan Li ◽  
Yue-Yi Wang ◽  
Tong Shao ◽  
Dong-Dong Fan ◽  
Ai-Fu Lin ◽  
...  

The NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is one of the best-characterized inflammasomes in humans and other mammals. However, knowledge about the NLRP3 inflammasome in nonmammalian species remains limited. Here, we report the molecular and functional identification of an NLRP3 homolog (DrNLRP3) in a zebrafish (Danio rerio) model. We found that DrNLRP3's overall structural architecture was shared with mammalian NLRP3s. It initiates a classical inflammasome assembly for zebrafish inflammatory caspase (DrCaspase-A/-B) activation and interleukin 1β (DrIL-1β) maturation in an apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase-recruitment domain (ASC)-dependent manner, in which DrNLRP3 organizes DrASC into a filament that recruits DrCaspase-A/-B by homotypic pyrin domain (PYD)–PYD interactions. DrCaspase-A/-B activation in the DrNLRP3 inflammasome occurred in two steps, with DrCaspase-A being activated first and DrCaspase-B second. DrNLRP3 also directly activated full-length DrCaspase-B and elicited cell pyroptosis in a gasdermin E (GSDME)-dependent but ASC-independent manner. These two events were tightly coordinated by DrNLRP3 to ensure efficient IL-1β secretion for the initiation of host innate immunity. By knocking down DrNLRP3 in zebrafish embryos and generating a DrASC-knockout (DrASC−/−) fish clone, we characterized the function of the DrNLRP3 inflammasome in anti-bacterial immunity in vivo. The results of our study disclosed the origin of the NLRP3 inflammasome in teleost fish, providing a cross-species understanding of the evolutionary history of inflammasomes. Our findings also indicate that the NLRP3 inflammasome may coordinate inflammatory cytokine processing and secretion through a GSDME-mediated pyroptotic pathway, uncovering a previously unrecognized regulatory function of NLRP3 in both inflammation and cell pyroptosis.

Author(s):  
Liyun Liu ◽  
Liqiong Song ◽  
Rong Deng ◽  
Ruiting Lan ◽  
Wenjie Jin ◽  
...  

Abstract Citrobacter freundii is a significant cause of human infections, responsible for food poisoning, diarrhea, and urinary tract infections. We previously identified a highly cytotoxic and adhesive C. freundii strain CF74 expressing a type VI secretion system (T6SS). In this study, we showed that in mice-derived macrophages, C. freundii CF74 activated the Nucleotide Oligomerization Domain -Like Receptor Family, Pyrin Domain Containing 3(NLRP3) inflammasomes in a T6SS-dependent manner. The C. freundii T6SS activated the inflammasomes mainly through caspase 1 and mediated pyroptosis of macrophages by releasing the cleaved gasdermin-N domain. The CF74 T6SS was required for flagellin-induced interleukin 1β release by macrophages. We further show that the T6SS tail component and effector, hemolysin co-regulation protein-2 (Hcp-2), was necessary and sufficient to trigger NLRP3 inflammasome activation. In vivo, the T6SS played a key role in mediating interleukin 1β secretion and the survival of mice during C. freundii infection in mice. These findings provide novel insights into the role of T6SS in the pathogenesis of C. freundii.


eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seongjin Park ◽  
Karine Prévost ◽  
Emily M Heideman ◽  
Marie-Claude Carrier ◽  
Muhammad S Azam ◽  
...  

RNA-binding proteins play myriad roles in regulating RNAs and RNA-mediated functions. In bacteria, the RNA chaperone Hfq is an important post-transcriptional gene regulator. Using live-cell super-resolution imaging, we can distinguish Hfq binding to different sizes of cellular RNAs. We demonstrate that under normal growth conditions, Hfq exhibits widespread mRNA-binding activity, with the distal face of Hfq contributing mostly to the mRNA binding in vivo. In addition, sRNAs can either co-occupy Hfq with the mRNA as a ternary complex, or displace the mRNA from Hfq in a binding face-dependent manner, suggesting mechanisms through which sRNAs rapidly access Hfq to induce sRNA-mediated gene regulation. Finally, our data suggest that binding of Hfq to certain mRNAs through its distal face can recruit RNase E to promote turnover of these mRNAs in a sRNA-independent manner, and such regulatory function of Hfq can be decoyed by sRNA competitors that bind strongly at the distal face.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1652
Author(s):  
Chinmaya Panda ◽  
Clara Voelz ◽  
Pardes Habib ◽  
Christian Mevissen ◽  
Thomas Pufe ◽  
...  

Intra-neuronal misfolding of monomeric tau protein to toxic β-sheet rich neurofibrillary tangles is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Tau pathology correlates not only with progressive dementia but also with microglia-mediated inflammation in AD. Amyloid-beta (Aβ), another pathogenic peptide involved in AD, has been shown to activate NLRP3 inflammasome (NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3), triggering the secretion of proinflammatory interleukin-1β (IL1β) and interleukin-18 (IL18). However, the effect of tau protein on microglia concerning inflammasome activation, microglial polarization, and autophagy is poorly understood. In this study, human microglial cells (HMC3) were stimulated with the unaggregated and aggregated forms of the tau-derived PHF6 peptide (VQIVYK). Modulation of NLRP3 inflammasome was examined by qRT-PCR, immunocytochemistry, and Western blot. We demonstrate that fibrillar aggregates of VQIVYK upregulated the NLRP3 expression at both mRNA and protein levels in a dose- and time-dependent manner, leading to increased expression of IL1β and IL18 in HMC3 cells. Aggregated PHF6-peptide also activated other related inflammation and microglial polarization markers. Furthermore, we also report a time-dependent effect of the aggregated PHF6 on BECN1 (Beclin-1) expression and autophagy. Overall, the PHF6 model system-based study may help to better understand the complex interconnections between Alzheimer’s PHF6 peptide aggregation and microglial inflammation, polarization, and autophagy.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Feng ◽  
Junling Gu ◽  
Fang Gou ◽  
Wei Huang ◽  
Chenlin Gao ◽  
...  

While inflammation is considered a central component in the development in diabetic nephropathy, the mechanism remains unclear. The NLRP3 inflammasome acts as both a sensor and a regulator of the inflammatory response. The NLRP3 inflammasome responds to exogenous and endogenous danger signals, resulting in cleavage of procaspase-1 and activation of cytokines IL-1β, IL-18, and IL-33, ultimately triggering an inflammatory cascade reaction. This study observed the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome signaling stimulated by high glucose, lipopolysaccharide, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) inhibitor N-acetyl-L-cysteine in glomerular mesangial cells, aiming to elucidate the mechanism by which the NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway may contribute to diabetic nephropathy. We found that the expression of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP), NLRP3, and IL-1βwas observed by immunohistochemistry in vivo. Simultaneously, the mRNA and protein levels of TXNIP, NLRP3, procaspase-1, and IL-1βwere significantly induced by high glucose concentration and lipopolysaccharide in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner in vitro. This induction by both high glucose and lipopolysaccharide was significantly inhibited by N-acetyl-L-cysteine. Our results firstly reveal that high glucose and lipopolysaccharide activate ROS/TXNIP/ NLRP3/IL-1βinflammasome signaling in glomerular mesangial cells, suggesting a mechanism by which inflammation may contribute to the development of diabetic nephropathy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
An Liu ◽  
Wenyuan Shi ◽  
Dongdong Lin ◽  
Haihui Ye

C-type allatostatins (C-type ASTs) are a family of structurally related neuropeptides found in a wide range of insects and crustaceans. To date, the C-type allatostatin receptor in crustaceans has not been deorphaned, and little is known about its physiological functions. In this study, we aimed to functionally define a C-type ASTs receptor in the mud crab, Scylla paramamosian. We showed that C-type ASTs receptor can be activated by ScypaAST-C peptide in a dose-independent manner and by ScypaAST-CCC peptide in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 6.683 nM. Subsequently, in vivo and in vitro experiments were performed to investigate the potential roles of ScypaAST-C and ScypaAST-CCC peptides in the regulation of ecdysone (20E) and methyl farnesoate (MF) biosynthesis. The results indicated that ScypaAST-C inhibited biosynthesis of 20E in the Y-organ, whereas ScypaAST-CCC had no effect on the production of 20E. In addition, qRT-PCR showed that both ScypaAST-C and ScypaAST-CCC significantly decreased the level of expression of the MF biosynthetic enzyme gene in the mandibular organ, suggesting that the two neuropeptides have a negative effect on the MF biosynthesis in mandibular organs. In conclusion, this study provided new insight into the physiological roles of AST-C in inhibiting ecdysone biosynthesis. Furthermore, it was revealed that AST-C family peptides might inhibit MF biosynthesis in crustaceans.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuan-jiang Liu ◽  
Qiang Fu ◽  
Wenjing Zhou ◽  
Xu Zhang ◽  
Rui Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Methylprednisolone (MP) is a synthetic corticosteroid with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties used as therapy for a variety of diseases. The underlying mechanism of MP to reduce acute pancreatitis still needs to be elucidated.Methods: Twenty-four male C57BL/6 mice (6-8 weeks) were used to establish SAP mouse model by administering an intraperitoneal injection of Cae and LPS. Amylase expression levels of serum and PLF were measured with an amylase assay kit. The concentrations of IL-1β and TNF-α in the serum and PLF were detected by ELISA. The level of pancreatic and lung tissue damage and inflammation was assessed by H&E staining and immunofluorescence staining. Western blot and qPCR were used to detect the expression levels of NLRP3, IL-1β and TNF-αin vivo and in vitro.Results: In this study, we found MP, used in the early phase of SAP, decreased the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in serum and peritoneal lavage fluids (PLF), reduced the level of serum amylase and the expression of MPO in lung tissue, attenuated the pathological injury of the pancreas and lungs in a dose-dependent manner. The expression of NLRP3 and IL-1β in pancreas and lungs was down-regulated significantly depending on the MP concentration. In vitro, MP reduced the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α by down-regulating the expression of NLRP3, IL-1β and p-NF-κB in isolated peritoneal macrophages. Conclusion: MP can attenuate the injury of pancreas and lungs, and the inflammatory response in SAP mice by down-regulating the activation of NF-κB and the NLRP3 inflammasome.


2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (5) ◽  
pp. 1577-1582 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars Ketscher ◽  
Ronny Hannß ◽  
David J. Morales ◽  
Anja Basters ◽  
Susana Guerra ◽  
...  

Protein modification by the ubiquitin-like protein ISG15 is an interferon (IFN) effector system, which plays a major role in antiviral defense. ISG15 modification is counteracted by the isopeptidase USP18, a major negative regulator of IFN signaling, which was also shown to exert its regulatory function in an isopeptidase-independent manner. To dissect enzymatic and nonenzymatic functions of USP18 in vivo, we generated knock-in mice (USP18C61A/C61A) expressing enzymatically inactive USP18. USP18C61A/C61A mice displayed increased levels of ISG15 conjugates, validating that USP18 is a major ISG15 isopeptidase in vivo. Unlike USP18−/− mice, USP18C61A/C61A animals did not exhibit morphological abnormalities, fatal IFN hypersensitivity, or increased lethality, clearly showing that major USP18 functions are unrelated to its protease activity. Strikingly, elevated ISGylation in USP18C61A/C61A mice was accompanied by increased viral resistance against vaccinia virus and influenza B virus infections. Enhanced resistance upon influenza B infection in USP18C61A/C61A mice was completely reversed in USP18C61A/C61A mice, which additionally lack ISG15, providing evidence that the observed reduction in viral titers is ISG15 dependent. These results suggest that increasing ISGylation by specific inhibition of USP18 protease activity could constitute a promising antiviral strategy with only a minimal risk of severe adverse effects.


Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (23) ◽  
pp. 4416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Hu ◽  
Qingju Li ◽  
Yunzheng Pan ◽  
Li Xu

Salvianolic acid B is one of the main water-soluble components of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. Many reports have shown that it has significant anti-myocardial ischemia effect. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Our present study demonstrated that Sal B could alleviate myocardial ischemic injury by inhibiting the priming phase of NLRP3 inflammasome. In vivo, serum c-troponin I (cTn), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, the cardiac function and infract size were examined. We found that Sal B could notably reduce the myocardial ischemic injury caused by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. In vitro, Sal B down-regulated the TLR4/NF-κB signaling cascades in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated H9C2 cells. Furthermore, Sal B reduced the expression levels of IL-1β and NLRP3 inflammasome in a dose-dependent manner. In short, our study provided evidence that Sal B could attenuate myocardial ischemic injury via inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway. And in an upstream level, MD-2 may be the potential target.


2015 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 172-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moo-Seung Lee ◽  
Haenaem Kwon ◽  
Eun-Young Lee ◽  
Dong-Jae Kim ◽  
Jong-Hwan Park ◽  
...  

Shiga toxin (Stx)-mediated immune responses, including the production of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), may exacerbate vascular damage and accelerate lethality. However, the immune signaling pathway activated in response to Stx is not well understood. Here, we demonstrate that enzymatically active Stx, which leads to ribotoxic stress, triggers NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent caspase-1 activation and IL-1β secretion in differentiated macrophage-like THP-1 (D-THP-1) cells. The treatment of cells with a chemical inhibitor of glycosphingolipid biosynthesis, which suppresses the expression of the Stx receptor globotriaosylceramide and subsequent endocytosis of the toxin, substantially blocked activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and processing of caspase-1 and IL-1β. Processing and release of both caspase-1 and IL-1β were significantly reduced or abolished in Stx-intoxicated D-THP-1 cells in which the expression of NLRP3 or ASC was stably knocked down. Furthermore, Stx mediated the activation of caspases involved in apoptosis in an NLRP3- or ASC-dependent manner. In Stx-intoxicated cells, the NLRP3 inflammasome triggered the activation of caspase-8/3, leading to the initiation of apoptosis, in addition to caspase-1-dependent pyroptotic cell death. Taken together, these results suggest that Stxs trigger the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway to release proinflammatory IL-1β as well as to promote apoptotic cell death.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (22) ◽  
pp. 8437
Author(s):  
Jae-Sung Kim ◽  
Seok-Jun Mun ◽  
Euni Cho ◽  
Donggyu Kim ◽  
Wooic Son ◽  
...  

Dense granule proteins (GRAs) are essential components in Toxoplasma gondii, which are suggested to be promising serodiagnostic markers in toxoplasmosis. In this study, we investigated the function of GRA9 in host response and the associated regulatory mechanism, which were unknown. We found that GRA9 interacts with NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) involved in inflammation by forming the NLRP3 inflammasome. The C-terminal of GRA9 (GRA9C) is essential for GRA9–NLRP3 interaction by disrupting the NLRP3 inflammasome through blocking the binding of apoptotic speck-containing (ASC)-NLRP3. Notably, Q200 of GRA9C is essential for the interaction of NLRP3 and blocking the conjugation of ASC. Recombinant GRA9C (rGRA9C) showed an anti-inflammatory effect and the elimination of bacteria by converting M1 to M2 macrophages. In vivo, rGRA9C increased the anti-inflammatory and bactericidal effects and subsequent anti-septic activity in CLP- and E. coli- or P. aeruginosa-induced sepsis model mice by increasing M2 polarization. Taken together, our findings defined a role of T. gondii GRA9 associated with NLRP3 in host macrophages, suggesting its potential as a new candidate therapeutic agent for sepsis.


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