Production of IL-1β and Inflammasome with Up-Regulated Expressions of NOD-Like Receptor Related Genes in Toxoplasma gondii-Infected THP-1 Macrophages.
10.3347/kjp.2016.54.6.711
- Author:
Jia Qi CHU
1
;
Ge SHI
;
Yi Ming FAN
;
In Wook CHOI
;
Guang Ho CHA
;
Yu ZHOU
;
Young Ha LEE
;
Juan Hua QUAN
Author Information
1. Stem Cell Research and Cellular Therapy Center and Laboratory Institute of Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Toxoplasma gondii;
inflammasome;
nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor (NLR);
THP-1 macrophage;
qRT-PCR
- MeSH:
Apoptosis;
Cytokines;
Gene Expression;
Immunity, Innate;
Inflammasomes*;
Macrophages*;
Multiprotein Complexes;
Negotiating;
Neurons;
Parasites;
RNA, Messenger;
Toxoplasma*;
Up-Regulation
- From:The Korean Journal of Parasitology
2016;54(6):711-717
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that stimulates production of high levels of proinflammatory cytokines, which are important for innate immunity. NLRs, i.e., nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors, play a crucial role as innate immune sensors and form multiprotein complexes called inflammasomes, which mediate caspase-1-dependent processing of pro-IL-1β. To elucidate the role of inflammasome components in T. gondii-infected THP-1 macrophages, we examined inflammasome-related gene expression and mechanisms of inflammasome-regulated cytokine IL-1β secretion. The results revealed a significant upregulation of IL-1β after T. gondii infection. T. gondii infection also upregulated the expression of inflammasome sensors, including NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4, NLRP6, NLRP8, NLRP13, AIM2, and NAIP, in a time-dependent manner. The infection also upregulated inflammasome adaptor protein ASC and caspase-1 mRNA levels. From this study, we newly found that T. gondii infection regulates NLRC4, NLRP6, NLRP8, NLRP13, AIM2, and neuronal apoptosis inhibitor protein (NAIP) gene expressions in THP-1 macrophages and that the role of the inflammasome-related genes may be critical for mediating the innate immune responses to T. gondii infection.
