Extracellular forms of IL-37 inhibit innate inflammation in vitro and in vivo but require the IL-1 family decoy receptor IL-1R8

Similar to IL-1α and IL-33, IL-1 family member IL-37b translocates to the nucleus and is associated with suppression of innate and adaptive immunity. Here we demonstrate an extracellular function of the IL-37 precursor and a processed form. Recombinant IL-37 precursor reduced LPS-induced IL-6 by 50% (P < 0.001) in highly inflammatory human blood-derived M1 differentiated macrophages derived from selective subjects but not M2 macrophages. In contrast, a neutralizing monoclonal anti–IL-37 increased LPS-induced IL-6, TNFα and IL-1β (P < 0.01). The suppression by IL-37 was consistently observed at low picomolar but not nanomolar concentrations. Whereas LPS induced a 12-fold increase in TNFα mRNA, IL-37 pretreatment decreased the expression to only 3-fold over background (P < 0.01). Mechanistically, LPS-induced p38 and pERK were reduced by IL-37. Recombinant IL-37 bound to the immobilized ligand binding α-chain of the IL-18 receptor as well as to the decoy receptor IL-1R8. In M1 macrophages, LPS increased the surface expression of IL-1R8. Compared with human blood monocytes, resting M1 cells express more surface IL-1R8 as well as total IL-1R8; there was a 16-fold increase in IL-1R8 mRNA levels when pretreated with IL-37. IL-37 reduced LPS-induced TNFα and IL-6 by 50–55% in mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, but not in dendritic cells derived from IL-1R8–deficient mice. In mice subjected to systemic LPS-induced inflammation, pretreatment with IL-37 reduced circulating and organ cytokine levels. Thus, in addition to a nuclear function, IL-37 acts as an extracellular cytokine by binding to the IL-18 receptor but using the IL-1R8 for its anti-inflammatory properties.IL-37, previously known as IL-1 family member 7, broadly reduces innate inflammation as well as acquired immune responses (1). In human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), a knockdown of endogenous IL-37 results in increased production of LPS- as well as IL-1β–induced cytokines (2). Mice transgenic for full-length human IL-37 (IL-37tg) are protected against LPS-induced systemic inflammation (2), chemical colitis (3), metabolic syndrome (4), and acute myocardial infarction (5). IL-37tg mice also have suppressed immune responses following challenge by specific antigen (6). We believe that full-length IL-37 expressed in the transgenic mice is processed extracellularly.In mouse macrophages stably transfected with human IL-37, ∼20% of IL-37 translocates to the nucleus (7), which is associated with decreased cytokine production (2, 7). However, in the presence of a caspase-1 inhibitor, there is no translocation to the nucleus and no reduction in LPS-induced cytokines (7). Mutation of aspartic acid at the caspase-1 cleavage position 20 to alanine also results in failure to translocate to the nucleus and loss of the suppression of cytokine production (8). Thus, as with IL-1α and IL-33, IL-37 is the third member of the IL-1 family that translocates to the nucleus and affects cellular responses. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether the reduction in cytokines in vitro or in vivo is due solely to nuclear translocation of IL-37.Support for an extracellular function for IL-37 comes from early studies reported over 10 y ago that demonstrated binding of IL-37 to the α-chain of IL-18 receptor (IL-18Rα). We therefore hypothesized that extracellular IL-37 can function through the IL-18Rα surface receptor to mediate its anti-inflammatory effects but that a negative or decoy receptor would be required. The candidate decoy receptor would likely be IL-1R8 [formerly, single IgG IL-1–related receptor (SIGIRR)] because, similar to IL-18BP, IL-1R8 has only a single Ig domain and is known for providing a brake on inflammation (9). In the present study, we have characterized the function of full-length recombinant IL-37b in inhibiting inflammation in vitro and in vivo and the role of IL-1R8.     

Activation of inflammasomes in dendritic cells and macrophages by Mycoplasma salivarium

Interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) plays crucial roles in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. It is produced after the processing of pro‐IL‐1β by caspase‐1, which is activated by the inflammasome‐a multiprotein complex comprising nucleotide‐binding domain leucine‐rich repeat‐containing receptor (NLR), the adaptor protein apoptosis‐associated speck‐like protein containing a caspase‐recruitment domain (ASC), and procaspase‐1. Mycoplasma salivarium preferentially inhabits the gingival sulcus and the incidence and number of organisms in the oral cavity increase significantly with the progression of periodontal disease. To initially clarify the association of this organism with periodontal diseases, this study determined whether it induces IL‐1β production by innate immune cells such as dendritic cells or macrophages by using Mycoplasma pneumoniae as a positive control. Both live and heat‐killed M. salivarium and M. pneumoniae cells induced IL‐1β production by XS106 murine dendritic cells as well as pyroptosis. The activities were significantly downregulated by silencing of caspase‐1. Bone‐marrow‐derived macrophage (BMMs) from wild‐type and NLR‐containing protein 3 (NLRP3)‐, ASC‐, and caspase‐1‐deficient mice were examined for IL‐1β production in response to these mycoplasmas. Live M. salivarium and M. pneumoniae cells almost completely lost the ability to induce IL‐1β production by BMMs from ASC‐ and caspase‐1–deficient mice. Their activities toward BMMs from NLRP3‐deficient mice were significantly but not completely attenuated. These results suggest that live M. salivarium and M. pneumoniae cells can activate several types of inflammasomes including the NLRP3 inflammasome. Both M. salivarium and M. pneumoniae cells can activate THP‐1 human monocytic cells to induce IL‐1β production. Hence, the present finding that M. salivarium induces IL‐1β production by dendritic cells and macrophages may suggest the association of this organism with periodontal diseases.     

Caspase‐11 non‐canonical inflammasome: a critical sensor of intracellular lipopolysaccharide in macrophage‐mediated inflammatory responses

Inflammatory responses mediated by macrophages are part of the innate immune system, whose role is to protect against invading pathogens. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) found in the outer membrane of Gram‐negative bacteria stimulates an inflammatory response by macrophages. During the inflammatory response, extracellular LPS is recognized by Toll‐like receptor 4, one of the pattern recognition receptors that activates inflammatory signalling pathways and leads to the production of inflammatory mediators. The innate immune response is also triggered by intracellular inflammasomes, and inflammasome activation induces pyroptosis and the secretion of pro‐inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and IL‐18 by macrophages. Cysteine‐aspartic protease (caspase)‐11 and the human orthologues caspase‐4/caspase‐5 were recently identified as components of the ‘non‐canonical inflammasome’ that senses intracellular LPS derived from Gram‐negative bacteria during macrophage‐mediated inflammatory responses. Direct recognition of intracellular LPS facilitates the rapid oligomerization of caspase‐11/4/5, which results in pyroptosis and the secretion of IL‐1β and IL‐18. LPS is released into the cytoplasm from Gram‐negative bacterium‐containing vacuoles by small interferon‐inducible guanylate‐binding proteins encoded on chromosome 3 (GBP^chr3)‐mediated lysis of the vacuoles. In vivo studies have clearly shown that caspase‐11^−/− mice are more resistant to endotoxic septic shock by excessive LPS challenge. Given the evidence, activation of caspase‐11 non‐canonical inflammasomes by intracellular LPS is distinct from canonical inflammasome activation and provides a new paradigm in macrophage‐mediated inflammatory responses.     

NLRP3 inflammasome mediates interleukin‐1β production in immune cells in response to Acinetobacter baumannii and contributes to pulmonary inflammation in mice

Acinetobacter baumannii is a multi‐drug resistant, Gram‐negative bacteria and infection with this organism is one of the major causes of mortality in intensive care units. Inflammasomes are multiprotein oligomers that include caspase‐1, and their activation is required for maturation of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β). Inflammasome signalling is involved in host defences against various microbial infections, but the precise mechanism by which A. baumannii activates inflammasomes and the roles of relevant signals in host defence against pulmonary A. baumannii infection are unknown. Our results showed that NLRP3, ASC and caspase‐1, but not NLRC4, are required for A. baumannii‐induced production of IL‐1β in macrophages. An inhibitor assay revealed that various pathways, including P2X7R, K⁺ efflux, reactive oxygen species production and release of cathepsins, are involved in IL‐1β production in macrophages in response to A. baumannii. Interleukin‐1β production in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was impaired in NLRP3‐deficient and caspase‐1/11‐deficient mice infected with A. baumannii, compared with that in wild‐type (WT) mice. However, the bacterial loads in BAL fluid and lungs were comparable between WT and NLRP3‐deficient or caspase‐1/11‐deficient mice. The severity of lung pathology was reduced in NLRP3‐ deficient, caspase‐1/11‐ deficient and IL‐1‐receptor‐deficient mice, although the recruitment of immune cells and production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines were not altered in these mice. These findings indicate that A. baumannii leads to the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, which mediates IL‐1β production and lung pathology.     

TLR4/NLRP3炎症复合体介导对比剂诱导的肾小管上皮细胞炎症和损伤

目的:探讨Toll样受体4(TLR4)/Nod样受体蛋白3(NLRP3)炎症复合体是否介导了对比剂(CM)引起的肾小管上皮细胞炎症和损伤。方法:本研究运用碘普罗胺作用于大鼠肾小管上皮细胞NRK-52E建立损伤模型。应用CCK-8法测定细胞存活率;Western blot测定TLR4、NLRP3、凋亡相关斑点样蛋白(ASC)、caspase-1和cleaved caspase-3的蛋白水平;ELISA法检测炎症因子白细胞介素1β(IL-1β)和IL-18的水平;Hoechst 33258核染色法检测凋亡率;JC-1染色法测定线粒体膜电位。用小干扰RNA沉默NLRP3表达。结果:CM可降低NRK-52E细胞的存活率并上调cleaved caspase-3的蛋白水平(P0.05);此外,CM可上调细胞TLR4/NLRP3炎症复合体的表达并促进炎症因子IL-1β和IL-18的分泌(P0.05)。沉默NLRP3可以对抗CM诱导的炎症因子分泌;TLR4抑制剂TAK-242及沉默NLRP3能减轻CM引起的细胞凋亡和线粒体功能损伤。结论:TLR4/NLRP3炎症复合体参与了CM致急性肾损伤的发病机制,并介导了CM诱导的肾小管上皮细胞损伤和炎症。     

流感病毒感染中炎症小体的激活和调控机制

炎症反应是宿主抗流感病毒感染的一个重要过程,它可以诱导产生抗病毒的炎症微环境以减少病毒的复制和扩散,同时参与对流感病毒的适应性免疫反应,在机体抗流感病毒感染过程中至关重要。然而,过度的炎症反应同时也是流感病毒重症感染、甚至死亡的主要因素。研究表明,炎症小体作为炎症反应的重要启动和调节分子,介导IL-1β和IL-18的成熟和分泌并诱导了细胞焦亡,在流感病毒发病机制中起着重要的调节作用,因此,针对炎症小体的激活和调控也成为流感病毒治疗的一个新策略。