SERPINB1-mediated checkpoint of inflammatory caspase activation

Nat Immunol. 2019 Mar;20(3):276-287. doi: 10.1038/s41590-018-0303-z. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Abstract

Inflammatory caspases (caspase-1, caspase-4, caspase-5 and caspase-11 (caspase-1/-4/-5/-11)) mediate host defense against microbial infections, processing pro-inflammatory cytokines and triggering pyroptosis. However, precise checkpoints are required to prevent their unsolicited activation. Here we report that serpin family B member 1 (SERPINB1) limited the activity of those caspases by suppressing their caspase-recruitment domain (CARD) oligomerization and enzymatic activation. While the reactive center loop of SERPINB1 inhibits neutrophil serine proteases, its carboxy-terminal CARD-binding motif restrained the activation of pro-caspase-1/-4/-5/-11. Consequently, knockdown or deletion of SERPINB1 prompted spontaneous activation of caspase-1/-4/-5/-11, release of the cytokine IL-1β and pyroptosis, inducing elevated inflammation after non-hygienic co-housing with pet-store mice and enhanced sensitivity to lipopolysaccharide- or Acinetobacter baumannii-induced endotoxemia. Our results reveal that SERPINB1 acts as a vital gatekeeper of inflammation by restraining neutrophil serine proteases and inflammatory caspases in a genetically and functionally separable manner.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Caspases / genetics
  • Caspases / immunology*
  • Caspases / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Enzyme Activation / immunology
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / genetics
  • Inflammation / immunology*
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Inflammation Mediators / immunology*
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Lipopolysaccharides / immunology
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Neutrophils / enzymology
  • Neutrophils / immunology
  • Neutrophils / metabolism
  • Pyroptosis / drug effects
  • Pyroptosis / immunology
  • RAW 264.7 Cells
  • RNA Interference
  • Serine Proteases / immunology
  • Serine Proteases / metabolism
  • Serpins / genetics
  • Serpins / immunology*
  • Serpins / metabolism
  • THP-1 Cells
  • U937 Cells

Substances

  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Serpins
  • SERPINB1 protein, human
  • Serine Proteases
  • Caspases