NLRP3 inflammasome activity is negatively controlled by miR-223

J Immunol. 2012 Oct 15;189(8):4175-81. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1201516. Epub 2012 Sep 14.

Abstract

Inflammasomes are multiprotein signaling platforms that form upon sensing microbe- or damage-associated molecular patterns. Upon their formation, caspase-1 is activated, leading to the processing of certain proinflammatory cytokines and the initiation of a special type of cell death, known as pyroptosis. Among known inflammasomes, NLRP3 takes on special importance because it appears to be a general sensor of cell stress. Moreover, unlike other inflammasome sensors, NLRP3 inflammasome activity is under additional transcriptional regulation. In this study, we identify the myeloid-specific microRNA miR-223 as another critical regulator of NLRP3 inflammasome activity. miR-223 suppresses NLRP3 expression through a conserved binding site within the 3' untranslated region of NLRP3, translating to reduced NLRP3 inflammasome activity. Although miR-223 itself is not regulated by proinflammatory signals, its expression varies among different myeloid cell types. Therefore, given the tight transcriptional control of NLRP3 message itself, miR-223 functions as an important rheostat controlling NLRP3 inflammasome activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carrier Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Carrier Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Transformed
  • Down-Regulation / immunology*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Inflammasomes / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Inflammasomes / biosynthesis
  • Inflammasomes / metabolism*
  • L Cells
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • MicroRNAs / physiology*
  • Myeloid Cells / immunology
  • Myeloid Cells / metabolism
  • Myeloid Cells / pathology
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Inflammasomes
  • MIRN223 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • NLRP3 protein, human