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The NLRP3 Inflammasome Contributes to Brain Injury in Pneumococcal Meningitis and Is Activated through ATP-Dependent Lysosomal Cathepsin B Release.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  22003197     Owner:  NLM     Status:  Publisher    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis causes brain damage through inflammation-related pathways whose identity and mechanisms of action are yet unclear. We previously identified caspase-1, which activates precursor IL-1 type cytokines, as a central mediator of inflammation in pneumococcal meningitis. In this study, we demonstrate that lack of the inflammasome components ASC or NLRP3 that are centrally involved in caspase-1 activation decreases scores of clinical and histological disease severity as well as brain inflammation in murine pneumococcal meningitis. Using specific inhibitors (anakinra and rIL-18-binding protein), we further show that ASC- and NLRP3-dependent pathologic alterations are solely related to secretion of both IL-1β and IL-18. Moreover, using differentiated human THP-1 cells, we demonstrate that the pneumococcal pore-forming toxin pneumolysin is a key inducer of IL-1β expression and inflammasome activation upon pneumococcal challenge. The latter depends on the release of ATP, lysosomal destabilization (but not disruption), and cathepsin B activation. The in vivo importance of this pathway is supported by our observation that the lack of pneumolysin and cathepsin B inhibition is associated with a better clinical course and less brain inflammation in murine pneumococcal meningitis. Collectively, our study indicates a central role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the pathology of pneumococcal meningitis. Thus, interference with inflammasome activation might be a promising target for adjunctive therapy of this disease.
Authors:
Tobias Hoegen; Nadin Tremel; Matthias Klein; Barbara Angele; Hermann Wagner; Carsten Kirschning; Hans-Walter Pfister; Adriano Fontana; Sven Hammerschmidt; Uwe Koedel
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Publication Detail:
Type:  JOURNAL ARTICLE     Date:  2011-10-14
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)     Volume:  -     ISSN:  1550-6606     ISO Abbreviation:  -     Publication Date:  2011 Oct 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-10-17     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  2985117R     Medline TA:  J Immunol     Country:  -    
Other Details:
Languages:  ENG     Pagination:  -     Citation Subset:  -    
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, Clinic of the University of Munich, D-81377 Munich, Germany;
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