Listeria monocytogenes is sensed by the NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasome

Eur J Immunol. 2010 Jun;40(6):1545-51. doi: 10.1002/eji.201040425.

Abstract

The inflammasome pathway functions to regulate caspase-1 activation in response to a broad range of stimuli. Caspase-1 activation is required for the maturation of the pivotal pro-inflammatory cytokines of the pro-IL-1beta family. In addition, caspase-1 activation leads to a certain type of cell death known as pyroptosis. Activation of the inflammasome has been shown to play a critical role in the recognition and containment of various microbial pathogens, including the intracellularly replicating Listeria monocytogenes; however, the inflammasome pathways activated during L. monocytogenes infection are only poorly defined. Here, we demonstrate that L. monocytogenes activates both the NLRP3 and the AIM2 inflammasome, with a predominant involvement of the AIM2 inflammasome. In addition, L. monocytogenes-triggered cell death was diminished in the absence of both AIM2 and NLRP3, and is concomitant with increased intracellular replication of L. monocytogenes. Altogether, these data establish a role for DNA sensing through the AIM2 inflammasome in the detection of intracellularly replicating bacteria.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carrier Proteins / immunology*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Immunoblotting
  • Listeria monocytogenes / immunology
  • Listeriosis / immunology*
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / microbiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • Nuclear Proteins / immunology*

Substances

  • Aim2 protein, mouse
  • Carrier Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • Nlrp3 protein, mouse
  • Nuclear Proteins