Critical role for the AIM2 inflammasome during acute CNS bacterial infection

Richa Hanamsagar, Amy Aldrich, Tammy Kielian

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

77 Scopus citations

Abstract

Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is essential for eliciting protective immunity during the acute phase of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infection in the central nervous system (CNS). We previously demonstrated that microglial IL-1β production in response to live S. aureus is mediated through the Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, including the adapter protein ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase-1 recruitment domain), and pro-caspase 1. Here, we utilized NLRP3, ASC, and caspase 1/11 knockout (KO) mice to demonstrate the functional significance of inflammasome activity during CNS S. aureus infection. ASC and caspase 1/11 KO animals were exquisitely sensitive, with approximately 50% of mice succumbing to infection within 24 h. Unexpectedly, the survival of NLRP3 KO mice was similar to wild-type animals, suggesting the involvement of an alternative upstream sensor, which was later identified as absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) based on the similar disease patterns between AIM2 and ASC KO mice. Besides IL-1β, other key inflammatory mediators, including IL-6, CXCL1, CXCL10, and CCL2 were significantly reduced in the CNS of AIM2 and ASC KO mice, implicating autocrine/paracrine actions of IL-1β, as these mediators do not require inflammasome processing for secretion. These studies demonstrate a novel role for the AIM2 inflammasome as a critical molecular platform for regulating IL-1β release and survival during acute CNS S. aureus infection. The AIM2 inflammasome is protective during acute CNS bacterial infection. A disconnect in phenotypes between the inflammasome sensor Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) and its adaptor ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase-1 recruitment domain) during acute CNS Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infection led to the discovery of absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) as a critical inflammasome sensor. The AIM2 inflammasome is potentially triggered by dsDNA in cells harboring intracellular S. aureus, leading to ASC and caspase 1 recruitment, resulting in pro-IL-1β processing and cytokine secretion. This cascade, in turn, is protective to the host during acute infection. The NLRP3 inflammasome is also activated in response to S. aureus challenge by α-hemolysin (hla); however, it is not critical for host survival. ASC also regulates the production of other inflammatory mediators, presumably via indirect effects mediated by IL-1β action. The AIM2 inflammasome is protective during acute CNS bacterial infection. A disconnect in phenotypes between the inflammasome sensor Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) and its adaptor ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase-1 recruitment domain) during acute CNS Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infection led to the discovery of absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) as a critical inflammasome sensor. The AIM2 inflammasome is potentially triggered by dsDNA in cells harboring intracellular S. aureus, leading to ASC and caspase 1 recruitment, resulting in pro-IL-1β processing and cytokine secretion. This cascade, in turn, is protective to the host during acute infection. The NLRP3 inflammasome is also activated in response to S. aureus challenge by α-hemolysin (hla); however, it is not critical for host survival. ASC also regulates the production of other inflammatory mediators, presumably via indirect effects mediated by IL-1β action.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)704-711
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Neurochemistry
Volume129
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2014

Keywords

  • AIM2
  • ASC
  • Staphylococcus aureus
  • caspase 1
  • inflammasome
  • interleukin-1

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

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