Inflammasomes on the Crossroads of Innate Immune Recognition and Metabolic Control

Publication date: 5 July 2017
Source:Cell Metabolism, Volume 26, Issue 1
Author(s): Tomasz Próchnicki, Eicke Latz
Inflammasomes are protein complexes formed upon encounter of microbial or damage-associated stimuli. The main output of inflammasome assembly is activation of caspase-1, a protease involved in both pro-inflammatory and host-protective responses. Defined bacterial or viral ligands have been identified for the inflammasome-forming receptors AIM2, NLRP1, and NLRC4. The signals activating other inflammasomes, NLRP3, NLRP6, and pyrin, are less well understood. Recent studies implicated several low-molecular-weight compounds traditionally linked to metabolism, not immunity, in modulation of inflammasome signaling. Furthermore, genetic, pharmacological, or pathogen-mediated interference with energy metabolism also affects inflammasome activation. Here we review the findings on how microbial- and host-derived metabolites regulate activation of the NLRP3 and NLRP6 inflammasomes. We discuss the different models of how glycolysis and mitochondrial metabolism control the NLRP3 inflammasome. Finally, we summarize the findings on metabolic control of pyrin and point to open questions to be addressed to broaden our understanding of metabolism-inflammasome interactions.

Teaser

Inflammasomes are protein complexes initiating inflammatory and protective responses. In this Review, Próchnicki and Latz discuss how they are regulated by host- and microbial-derived metabolic cues and how inflammasome-mediated metabolic sensing can promote homeostasis or disease.


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