Internalized Cryptococcus neoformans Activates the Canonical Caspase-1 and the Noncanonical Caspase-8 Inflammasomes

Mollugin inhibits IL-1β production by reducing zinc finger protein 91-regulated Pro-IL-1β ubiquitination and inflammasome activity

BACKGROUND

Rubia cordifolia L. has been formally included in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and utilized for centuries as a traditional Chinese medicine. Mollugin, a quinone compound, is a major active compound extracted from Rubia cordifolia L. Mollugin was reported has multiple pharmacological activity, including anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor effects. However, the anti-inflammatory mechanism is not yet clear. In this study, we explored the anti-inflammatory activity and potential mechanism of mollugin in vitro and in vivo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We explored the mechanisms that mollugin suppressed IL-1β expression through ZFP91 using various assays, including western blot, immunofluorescence, immunoprecipitation, MTT, RT-PCR, and ELISA assays in vitro. In vivo, oral administration of DSS induced colitis in mice and intraperitoneal injection of alum induced peritonitis in mice.

RESULTS

First, the results demonstrated that mollugin dramatically suppressed IL-1β secretion through reducing ZFP91 in macrophages. Crucially, we proved that mollugin inhibited K63-linked Pro-IL-1β ubiquitination through ZFP91 and limitated Pro-IL-1β cleavage efficacy. In addition, ZFP91-mediated Caspase-8 inflammasome component expression was inhibited by mollugin. Furthermore, mollugin inhibited the assembly of the Caspase-8 inflammasome complex by downregulating ZFP91. In vivo studies further revealed that mollugin improved DSS-induced colitis and alum-induced peritonitis in mice by reducing ZFP91. Notely, mollugin significantly altered the abundance of gut flora in DSS-induced colitis mice, which in turn ameliorated the colitis.

CONCLUSION

We present a novel finding that mollugin inhibition of ZFP91 is a crucial regulatory step, preventing undue inflammatory responses and thereby maintaining immune homeostasis. The current study offers new insight into the development of anti-inflammatory therapeutics targeting ZFP91.

Systematic analysis of PANoptosis-related genes identifies XIAP as a functional oncogene in breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent malignant disease affecting women globally. PANoptosis, a novel form of cell death combining features of pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis, has recently gained attention. However, its precise function in BC and the predictive values of PANoptosis-related genes remain unclear.

METHODS

We used the expression data and clinical information of BC tissues or normal breast tissues from public databases, and then successfully developed and verified a BC PANoptosis-related risk model through a combination of univariate Cox regression, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression, and Kaplan-Meier (KM) analysis. A nomogram was constructed to estimate survival probability, and its accuracy was assessed using calibration curves.

RESULTS

Among 37 PANoptosis-related genes, we identified 4 differentially expressed genes related to overall survival (OS). Next, a risk model incorporating these four PANoptosis-related genes was established. Patients were stratified into low/high-risk groups based on the median risk score, with the low-risk group showing better prognoses and higher levels of immune infiltration. Utilizing the risk score and clinical features, we developed a nomogram to predict 1-, 3- and 5-year survival probability. X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) emerged as a potentially risky factor with the highest hazard ratio. In vitro experiments demonstrated that XIAP inhibition enhances the antitumor effect of doxorubicin through the PANoptosis pathway.

CONCLUSION

PANoptosis holds an important role in BC prognosis and treatment.

Role for Caspase-8 in the Release of IL-1β and Active Caspase-1 from Viable Human Monocytes during Toxoplasma gondii Infection

Monocytes are actively recruited to sites of infection and produce the potent proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β. We previously showed that IL-1β release during Toxoplasma gondii infection of primary human monocytes requires the NLRP3 inflammasome and caspase-1 but is independent of gasdermin D and pyroptosis. To investigate mechanisms of IL-1β release, we generated caspase-1, -4, -5, or -8 knockout (KO) THP-1 monocytic cells. Genetic ablation of caspase-1 or -8, but not caspase-4 or -5, decreased IL-1β release during T. gondii infection without affecting cell death. In contrast, TNF-α and IL-6 secretion were unperturbed in caspase-8 KO cells during T. gondii infection. Dual pharmacological inhibition of caspase-8 and RIPK1 in primary monocytes also decreased IL-1β release without affecting cell viability or parasite infection. Caspase-8 was also required for the release of active caspase-1 from T. gondii-infected cells and for IL-1β release during infection with the related apicomplexan parasite Neospora caninum. Surprisingly, caspase-8 deficiency did not impair synthesis or cleavage of pro-IL-1β, but resulted in the retention of mature IL-1β within cells. Generation of gasdermin E KO and ATG7 KO THP-1 cells revealed that the release of IL-1β was not dependent on gasdermin E or ATG7. Collectively, our data indicate that during T. gondii Infection of human monocytes, caspase-8 functions in a novel gasdermin-independent mechanism controlling IL-1β release from viable cells. This study expands on the molecular pathways that promote IL-1β in human immune cells and provides evidence of a role for caspase-8 in the mechanism of IL-1β release during infection.

Pyroptosis in microbial infectious diseases

Pyroptosis is a gasdermins-mediated programmed cell death that plays an essential role in immune regulation, and its role in autoimmune disease and cancer has been studied extensively. Increasing evidence shows that various microbial infections can lead to pyroptosis, associated with the occurrence and development of microbial infectious diseases. This study reviews the recent advances in pyroptosis in microbial infection, including bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. We also explore potential therapeutic strategies for treating microbial infection-related diseases by targeting pyroptosis.

Non-Canonical Inflammasome Pathway: The Role of Cell Death and Inflammation in Ehrlichiosis

Activating inflammatory caspases and releasing pro-inflammatory mediators are two essential functions of inflammasomes which are triggered in response to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) or danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). The canonical inflammasome pathway involves the activation of inflammasome and its downstream pathway via the adaptor ASC protein, which causes caspase 1 activation and, eventually, the cleavage of pro-IL-1b and pro-IL-18. The non-canonical inflammasome pathway is induced upon detecting cytosolic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by NLRP3 inflammasome in Gram-negative bacteria. The activation of NLRP3 triggers the cleavage of murine caspase 11 (human caspase 4 or caspase 5), which results in the formation of pores (via gasdermin) to cause pyroptosis. Ehrlichia is an obligately intracellular bacterium which is responsible for causing human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME), a potentially lethal disease similar to toxic shock syndrome and septic shock syndrome. Several studies have indicated that canonical and non-canonical inflammasome activation is a crucial pathogenic mechanism that induces dysregulated inflammation and host cellular death in the pathophysiology of HME. Mechanistically, the activation of canonical and non-canonical inflammasome pathways affected by virulent Ehrlichia infection is due to a block in autophagy. This review aims to explore the significance of non-canonical inflammasomes in ehrlichiosis, and how the pathways involving caspases (with the exception of caspase 1) contribute to the pathophysiology of severe and fatal ehrlichiosis. Improving our understanding of the non-canonical inflammatory pathway that cause cell death and inflammation in ehrlichiosis will help the advancement of innovative therapeutic, preventative, and diagnostic approaches to the treatment of ehrlichiosis.

Role of toll-like receptors and nod-like receptors in acute lung infection

The respiratory system exposed to microorganisms continuously, and the pathogenicity of these microbes not only contingent on their virulence factors, but also the host's immunity. A multifaceted innate immune mechanism exists in the respiratory tract to cope with microbial infections and to decrease tissue damage. The key cell types of the innate immune response are macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells, epithelial cells, and endothelial cells. Both the myeloid and structural cells of the respiratory system sense invading microorganisms through binding or activation of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) to pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), including Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and NOD-like receptors (NLRs). The recognition of microbes and subsequent activation of PRRs triggers a signaling cascade that leads to the activation of transcription factors, induction of cytokines/5chemokines, upregulation of cell adhesion molecules, recruitment of immune cells, and subsequent microbe clearance. Since numerous microbes resist antimicrobial agents and escape innate immune defenses, in the future, a comprehensive strategy consisting of newer vaccines and novel antimicrobials will be required to control microbial infections. This review summarizes key findings in the area of innate immune defense in response to acute microbial infections in the lung. Understanding the innate immune mechanisms is critical to design host-targeted immunotherapies to mitigate excessive inflammation while controlling microbial burden in tissues following lung infection.

Immunological correlates of protection following vaccination with glucan particles containing Cryptococcus neoformans chitin deacetylases

Vaccination with glucan particles (GP) containing the Cryptococcus neoformans chitin deacetylases Cda1 and Cda2 protect mice against experimental cryptococcosis. Here, immunological correlates of vaccine-mediated protection were explored. Studies comparing knockout and wild-type mice demonstrated CD4⁺ T cells are crucial, while B cells and CD8⁺ T cells are dispensable. Protection was abolished following CD4⁺ T cell depletion during either vaccination or infection but was retained if CD4⁺ T cells were only partially depleted. Vaccination elicited systemic and durable antigen-specific immune responses in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), spleens, and lungs. Following vaccination and fungal challenge, robust T-helper (Th) 1 and Th17 responses were observed in the lungs. Protection was abrogated in mice congenitally deficient in interferon (IFN) γ, IFNγ receptor, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, or IL-23. Thus, CD4⁺ T cells and specific proinflammatory cytokines are required for GP-vaccine-mediated protection. Importantly, retention of protection in the setting of partial CD4⁺ T depletion suggests a pathway for vaccinating at-risk immunocompromised individuals.

Innate Immune Responses to Sporothrix schenckii: Recognition and Elimination

Sporothrix schenckii (S. schenckii), a ubiquitous thermally dimorphic fungus, is the etiological agent of sporotrichosis, affecting immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. Despite current antifungal regimens, sporotrichosis results in prolonged treatment and significant mortality rates in the immunosuppressed population. The innate immune system forms the host's first and primary line of defense against S. schenckii, which has a bi-layered cell wall structure. Many components act as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) in pathogen-host interactions. PAMPs are recognized by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) such as toll-like receptors, C-type lectin receptors, and complement receptors, triggering innate immune cells such as neutrophils, macrophages, and dendritic cells to phagocytize or produce mediators, contributing to S. schenckii elimination. The ultrastructure of S. schenckii and pathogen-host interactions, including PRRs and innate immune cells, are summarized in this review, promoting a better understanding of the innate immune response to S. schenckii and aiding in the development of protective and therapeutic strategies to combat sporotrichosis.

Insights into inflammasome regulation: cellular, molecular, and pathogenic control of inflammasome activation

Maintenance of immune homeostasis is an intricate process wherein inflammasomes play a pivotal role by contributing to innate and adaptive immune responses. Inflammasomes are ensembles of adaptor proteins that can trigger a signal following innate sensing of pathogens or non-pathogens eventuating in the inductions of IL-1β and IL-18. These inflammatory cytokines substantially influence the antigen-presenting cell's costimulatory functions and T helper cell differentiation, contributing to adaptive immunity. As acute and chronic disease conditions may accompany parallel tissue damage, we analyze the critical role of extracellular factors such as cytokines, amyloids, cholesterol crystals, etc., intracellular metabolites, and signaling molecules regulating inflammasome activation/inhibition. We develop an operative framework for inflammasome function and regulation by host cell factors and pathogens. While inflammasomes influence the innate and adaptive immune components' interplay modulating the anti-pathogen adaptive immune response, pathogens may target inflammasome inhibition as a survival strategy. As trapped between health and diseases, inflammasomes serve as promising therapeutic targets and their modus operandi serves as a scientific rationale for devising better therapeutic strategies.

Convallatoxin inhibits IL-1β production by suppressing zinc finger protein 91-mediated pro-IL-1β ubiquitination and caspase-8 inflammasome activity

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

ZFP91 positively regulates IL-1β production in macrophages and may be a potential therapeutic target to treat inflammatory-related diseases. Therefore, we investigated whether this process is modulated by convallatoxin, which is a cardiac glycoside isolated from the traditional Chinese medicinal plant Adonis amurensis Regel et Radde.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

In vitro, the underlying mechanisms by which convallatoxin inhibits ZFP91-regulated IL-1β expression were investigated using molecular docking, western blotting, RT-PCR, ELISA, immunofluorescence, and immunoprecipitation assays. In vivo, liver injury was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of D-GalN and LPS, colitis was induced by oral administration of DSS in drinking water, and peritonitis was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of alum.

KEY RESULTS

We confirmed that convallatoxin inhibited the release of IL-1β by downregulating ZFP91. Importantly, we found that convallatoxin significantly reduced K63-linked polyubiquitination of pro-IL-1β regulated by ZFP91 and decreased the efficacy of pro-IL-1β cleavage. Moreover, convallatoxin suppressed ZFP91-mediated activation of the non-canonical caspase-8 inflammasome and MAPK signaling pathways in macrophages. Furthermore, we showed that ZFP91 promoted the assembly of the caspase-8 inflammasome complex, whereas convallatoxin treatment reversed this result. In vivo studies further demonstrated that convallatoxin ameliorated D-GalN/LPS-induced liver injury, DSS-induced colitis, and alum-induced peritonitis by downregulating ZFP91.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

We report for the first time that convallatoxin-mediated inhibition of ZFP91 is an important regulatory event that prevents inappropriate inflammatory responses to maintain of immune homeostasis. This mechanism provides new perspectives for the development of convallatoxin as a novel anti-inflammatory drug targeting ZFP91.

From pyroptosis, apoptosis and necroptosis to PANoptosis: A mechanistic compendium of programmed cell death pathways

Pyroptosis, apoptosis and necroptosis are the most genetically well-defined programmed cell death (PCD) pathways, and they are intricately involved in both homeostasis and disease. Although the identification of key initiators, effectors and executioners in each of these three PCD pathways has historically delineated them as distinct, growing evidence has highlighted extensive crosstalk among them. These observations have led to the establishment of the concept of PANoptosis, defined as an inflammatory PCD pathway regulated by the PANoptosome complex with key features of pyroptosis, apoptosis and/or necroptosis that cannot be accounted for by any of these PCD pathways alone. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the research history of pyroptosis, apoptosis and necroptosis. We then examine the intricate crosstalk among these PCD pathways to discuss the current evidence for PANoptosis. We also detail the molecular evidence for the assembly of the PANoptosome complex, a molecular scaffold for contemporaneous engagement of key molecules from pyroptosis, apoptosis, and/or necroptosis. PANoptosis is now known to be critically involved in many diseases, including infection, sterile inflammation and cancer, and future discovery of novel PANoptotic components will continue to broaden our understanding of the fundamental processes of cell death and inform the development of new therapeutics.

NLRP3 inflammasome activation and cell death

The NLRP3 inflammasome is a cytosolic multiprotein complex composed of the innate immune receptor protein NLRP3, adapter protein ASC, and inflammatory protease caspase-1 that responds to microbial infection, endogenous danger signals, and environmental stimuli. The assembled NLRP3 inflammasome can activate the protease caspase-1 to induce gasdermin D-dependent pyroptosis and facilitate the release of IL-1β and IL-18, which contribute to innate immune defense and homeostatic maintenance. However, aberrant activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome is associated with the pathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease. Recent studies have revealed that NLRP3 inflammasome activation contributes to not only pyroptosis but also other types of cell death, including apoptosis, necroptosis, and ferroptosis. In addition, various effectors of cell death have been reported to regulate NLRP3 inflammasome activation, suggesting that cell death is closely related to NLRP3 inflammasome activation. In this review, we summarize the inextricable link between NLRP3 inflammasome activation and cell death and discuss potential therapeutics that target cell death effectors in NLRP3 inflammasome-associated diseases.

Effects of cigarette smoke extract on bronchial epithelial cells stimulated with Cryptococcus neoformans

In the airways, the adhesion of Cryptococcus neoformans with airway epithelial cells is crucial for the establishment of cryptococcosis. Tobacco smoke is considered a risk factor for cryptococcosis. Here, we evaluated the effects of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) on human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) stimulated with C. neoformans. Multiplicities of infection (MOIs) of 1-100 of C. neoformans per cell led to increased IL-8 production and no cytotoxic effects when compared to those of controls. C. neoformans (MOI 100) also significantly increased the concentration of IL-6. In cells stimulated with CSE doses (1.0, 2.5 and 5.0%) from one or five cigarettes, increased IL-1β production was observed only in doses from one (1.0%) and five (2.5%) cigarettes when compared to that of controls. However, only 1.0% CSE failed to show cytotoxic effects. In addition, CSE significantly increased the concentration of IL-8. Cells stimulated with both CSE and C. neoformans demonstrated a reduction in IL-6/STAT3 signalling compared to that in cells stimulated by C. neoformans. In addition, a significant increase in IL-10 production was also observed. No alterations in NF-kB or ICAM-1 expression were observed among the groups. The combination of CSE and C. neoformans favoured the increase of fungal numbers and extracellular adhering of C. neoformans on BEAS-2B cells. In addition, the internalization of C. neoformans on BEAS-2B cells was reduced after CSE stimulation. In conclusion, the association of CSE and C. neoformans induced an anti-inflammatory effect in bronchial epithelial cells, which might favour the development of C. neoformans infection in the airways.

Inflammatory cell death induced by cytotoxic lymphocytes: a dangerous but necessary liaison

Cytotoxic lymphocytes (CLs), and more specifically Tc and NK cells, are the main executors of cell death in the immune system, playing a key role during both immunosurveillance and immunotherapy. These cells induce regulated cell death (RCD) by different mechanisms, being granular exocytosis and expression of death ligands the most prominent and best characterized ones. Apoptosis, a traditionally considered low-inflammatory type of cell death, has been accepted for years as the paradigm of RCD induced by CLs. However, several recent studies have demonstrated that NK cells and Tc cells can also induce more inflammatory forms of cell death, namely, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis. Activation of these highly inflammatory types of cell death appears to critically contribute to the activation of a successful antitumour immune response. Additionally, the role of specific cell death pathways in immunogenic cell death is still under intense debate, especially considering the interconnections with other inflammatory forms of cell death. These evidences, together with the advent of new cancer immunotherapies, highlight the necessity to deepen our understanding of the link between the cell death triggered by CLs and inflammation. This knowledge will be instrumental to maximize the antitumour potential of immunotherapies, minimizing deleterious effects associated with these treatments. In this review, we will briefly summarize the main features of apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis and ferroptosis, to subsequently discuss the most recent evidences about the role of these RCD pathways during the elimination of cancer cells mediated by CLs and its modulation to increase the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy.

Regulation of Caspase-8 Activity at the Crossroads of Pro-Inflammation and Anti-Inflammation

Caspase-8 has been classified as an apoptotic caspase, and its initial definition was an initiator of extrinsic cell death. During the past decade, the concept of caspase-8 functioning has been changed by findings of its additional roles in diverse biological processes. Although caspase-8 was not originally thought to be involved in the inflammation process, many recent works have determined that caspase-8 plays an important role in the regulatory functions of inflammatory processes. In this review, we describe the recent advances in knowledge regarding the manner in which caspase-8 modulates the inflammatory responses concerning inflammasome activation, cell death, and cytokine induction.

Fungal-Induced Programmed Cell Death

Fungal infections are a cause of morbidity in humans, and despite the availability of a range of antifungal treatments, the mortality rate remains unacceptably high. Although our knowledge of the interactions between pathogenic fungi and the host continues to grow, further research is still required to fully understand the mechanism underpinning fungal pathogenicity, which may provide new insights for the treatment of fungal disease. There is great interest regarding how microbes induce programmed cell death and what this means in terms of the immune response and resolution of infection as well as microbe-specific mechanisms that influence cell death pathways to aid in their survival and continued infection. Here, we discuss how programmed cell death is induced by fungi that commonly cause opportunistic infections, including Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Cryptococcus neoformans, the role of programmed cell death in fungal immunity, and how fungi manipulate these pathways.

NLRP3 inflammasome in cardiovascular diseases: Pathophysiological and pharmacological implications

Growing evidence points out the importance of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including hypertension, myocardial infarct (MI), ischemia, cardiomyopathies (CMs), heart failure (HF), and atherosclerosis. In this regard, intensive research efforts both in humans and in animal models of CVDs are being focused on the characterization of the pathophysiological role of NLRP3 inflammasome signaling in CVDs. In addition, clinical and preclinical evidence is coming to light that the pharmacological blockade of NLRP3 pathways with drugs, including novel chemical entities as well as drugs currently employed in the clinical practice, biologics and phytochemicals, could represent a suitable therapeutic approach for prevention and management of CVDs. On these bases, the present review article provides a comprehensive overview of clinical and preclinical studies about the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in the pathophysiology of CVDs, including hypertension, MI, ischemic injury, CMs, HF and atherosclerosis. In addition, particular attention has been focused on current evidence on the effects of drugs, biologics, and phytochemicals, targeting different steps of inflammasome signaling, in CVDs.

Programmed Cell Death: Central Player in Fungal Infections

Fungal diseases contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality in humans. Although recent research has improved our understanding of the complex and dynamic interplay that occurs between pathogenic fungi and the human host, much remains to be elucidated concerning the molecular mechanisms that drive fungal pathogenicity and host responses to fungal infections. In recent times, there has been a significant increase in studies investigating the immunological functions of microbial-induced host cell death. In addition, pathogens use many strategies to manipulate host cell death pathways to facilitate their survival and dissemination. This review will focus on the mechanisms of host programmed cell death that occur during opportunistic fungal infections, and explore how cell death pathways may affect immunity towards pathogenic fungi.

Cryptococcus neoformans Secretes Small Molecules That Inhibit IL-1β Inflammasome-Dependent Secretion

Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast that causes disease mainly in immunosuppressed hosts. It is considered a facultative intracellular pathogen because of its capacity to survive and replicate inside phagocytes, especially macrophages. This ability is heavily dependent on various virulence factors, particularly the glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) component of the polysaccharide capsule. Inflammasome activation in phagocytes is usually protective against fungal infections, including cryptococcosis. Nevertheless, recognition of C. neoformans by inflammasome receptors requires specific changes in morphology or the opsonization of the yeast, impairing proper inflammasome function. In this context, we analyzed the impact of molecules secreted by C. neoformans B3501 strain and its acapsular mutant Δcap67 in inflammasome activation in an in vitro model. Our results showed that conditioned media derived from B3501 was capable of inhibiting inflammasome-dependent events (i.e., IL-1β secretion and LDH release via pyroptosis) more strongly than conditioned media from Δcap67, regardless of GXM presence. We also demonstrated that macrophages treated with conditioned media were less responsive against infection with the virulent strain H99, exhibiting lower rates of phagocytosis, increased fungal burdens, and enhanced vomocytosis. Moreover, we showed that the aromatic metabolite DL-Indole-3-lactic acid (ILA) and DL-p-Hydroxyphenyllactic acid (HPLA) were present in B3501's conditioned media and that ILA alone or with HPLA is involved in the regulation of inflammasome activation by C. neoformans. These results were confirmed by in vivo experiments, where exposure to conditioned media led to higher fungal burdens in Acanthamoeba castellanii culture as well as in higher fungal loads in the lungs of infected mice. Overall, the results presented show that conditioned media from a wild-type strain can inhibit a vital recognition pathway and subsequent fungicidal functions of macrophages, contributing to fungal survival in vitro and in vivo and suggesting that secretion of aromatic metabolites, such as ILA, during cryptococcal infections fundamentally impacts pathogenesis.

Diverse species in the genus Cryptococcus: Pathogens and their non-pathogenic ancestors

The genus Cryptococcus comprises of more than 30 species. It consists of clinically significant pathogenic Cryptococcus neoformans/Cryptococcus gattii species complex comprising of a minimum of seven species. These pathogens cost more than 200,000 lives annually by causing cryptococcal meningoencephalitis. The evolution of the pathogenic species from closely related non-pathogenic species of the Cryptococcus amylolentus complex is of particular importance and several advances have been made to understand their phylogenetic and genomic relationships. The current review briefly describes the sexual reproduction process followed by an individual description of the members focusing on their key attributes and virulence mechanisms of the pathogenic species. A special section on phylogenetic studies is aimed at understanding the evolutionary divergence of pathogens from non-pathogens. Recent findings from our group pertaining to parameters affecting codon usage bias in six pathogenic and three non-pathogenic ancestral species and their corroboration with existing phylogenetic reports are also included in the current review.

Galectin-3 in Inflammasome Activation and Primary Biliary Cholangitis Development

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune liver disease characterized by inflammation and damage of small bile ducts. The NLRP3 inflammasome is a multimeric complex of proteins that after activation with various stimuli initiates an inflammatory process. Increasing data obtained from animal studies implicate the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in the pathogenesis of various diseases. Galectin-3 is a β-galactoside-binding lectin that plays important roles in various biological processes including cell proliferation, differentiation, transformation and apoptosis, pre-mRNA splicing, inflammation, fibrosis and host defense. The multilineage immune response at various stages of PBC development includes the involvement of Gal-3 in the pathogenesis of this disease. The role of Galectin-3 in the specific binding to NLRP3, and inflammasome activation in models of primary biliary cholangitis has been recently described. This review provides a brief pathogenesis of PBC and discusses the current knowledge about the role of Gal-3 in NLRP3 activation and PBC development.

Focus on the Role of NLRP3 Inflammasome in Diseases

Inflammation is a protective reaction activated in response to detrimental stimuli, such as dead cells, irritants or pathogens, by the evolutionarily conserved immune system and is regulated by the host. The inflammasomes are recognized as innate immune system sensors and receptors that manage the activation of caspase-1 and stimulate inflammation response. They have been associated with several inflammatory disorders. The NLRP3 inflammasome is the most well characterized. It is so called because NLRP3 belongs to the family of nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain-like receptors (NLRs). Recent evidence has greatly improved our understanding of the mechanisms by which the NLRP3 inflammasome is activated. Additionally, increasing data in animal models, supported by human studies, strongly implicate the involvement of the inflammasome in the initiation or progression of disorders with a high impact on public health, such as metabolic pathologies (obesity, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis), cardiovascular diseases (ischemic and non-ischemic heart disease), inflammatory issues (liver diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, gut microbiome, rheumatoid arthritis) and neurologic disorders (Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other neurological disorders), compared to other molecular platforms. This review will provide a focus on the available knowledge about the NLRP3 inflammasome role in these pathologies and describe the balance between the activation of the harmful and beneficial inflammasome so that new therapies can be created for patients with these diseases.

Leishmania amazonensis Subverts the Transcription Factor Landscape in Dendritic Cells to Avoid Inflammasome Activation and Stall Maturation

Leishmania parasites are the causative agents of human leishmaniases. They infect professional phagocytes of their mammalian hosts, including dendritic cells (DCs) that are essential for the initiation of adaptive immune responses. These immune functions strictly depend on the DC's capacity to differentiate from immature, antigen-capturing cells to mature, antigen-presenting cells—a process accompanied by profound changes in cellular phenotype and expression profile. Only little is known on how intracellular Leishmania affects this important process and DC transcriptional regulation. Here, we investigate these important open questions analyzing phenotypic, cytokine profile and transcriptomic changes in murine, immature bone marrow-derived DCs (iBMDCs) infected with antibody-opsonized and non-opsonized Leishmania amazonensis (L.am) amastigotes. DCs infected by non-opsonized amastigotes remained phenotypically immature whereas those infected by opsonized parasites displayed a semi-mature phenotype. The low frequency of infected DCs in culture led us to use DsRed2-transgenic parasites allowing for the enrichment of infected BMDCs by FACS. Sorted infected DCs were then subjected to transcriptomic analyses using Affymetrix GeneChip technology. Independent of parasite opsonization, Leishmania infection induced expression of genes related to key DC processes involved in MHC Class I-restricted antigen presentation and alternative NF-κB activation. DCs infected by non-opsonized parasites maintained an immature phenotype and showed a small but significant down-regulation of gene expression related to pro-inflammatory TLR signaling, the canonical NF-kB pathway and the NLRP3 inflammasome. This transcriptomic profile was further enhanced in DCs infected with opsonized parasites that displayed a semi-mature phenotype despite absence of inflammasome activation. This paradoxical DC phenotype represents a Leishmania-specific signature, which to our knowledge has not been observed with other opsonized infectious agents. In conclusion, systems-analyses of our transcriptomics data uncovered important and previously unappreciated changes in the DC transcription factor landscape, thus revealing a novel Leishmania immune subversion strategy directly acting on transcriptional control of gene expression. Our data raise important questions on the dynamic and reciprocal interplay between trans-acting and epigenetic regulators in establishing permissive conditions for intracellular Leishmania infection and polarization of the immune response.

Inflammasome activation and regulation: toward a better understanding of complex mechanisms

Inflammasomes are cytoplasmic multiprotein complexes comprising a sensor protein, inflammatory caspases, and in some but not all cases an adapter protein connecting the two. They can be activated by a repertoire of endogenous and exogenous stimuli, leading to enzymatic activation of canonical caspase-1, noncanonical caspase-11 (or the equivalent caspase-4 and caspase-5 in humans) or caspase-8, resulting in secretion of IL-1β and IL-18, as well as apoptotic and pyroptotic cell death. Appropriate inflammasome activation is vital for the host to cope with foreign pathogens or tissue damage, while aberrant inflammasome activation can cause uncontrolled tissue responses that may contribute to various diseases, including autoinflammatory disorders, cardiometabolic diseases, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, it is imperative to maintain a fine balance between inflammasome activation and inhibition, which requires a fine-tuned regulation of inflammasome assembly and effector function. Recently, a growing body of studies have been focusing on delineating the structural and molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of inflammasome signaling. In the present review, we summarize the most recent advances and remaining challenges in understanding the ordered inflammasome assembly and activation upon sensing of diverse stimuli, as well as the tight regulations of these processes. Furthermore, we review recent progress and challenges in translating inflammasome research into therapeutic tools, aimed at modifying inflammasome-regulated human diseases.

Microbiota-gut-brain axis in health and disease: Is NLRP3 inflammasome at the crossroads of microbiota-gut-brain communications?

Growing evidence highlights the relevance of microbiota-gut-brain axis in the maintenance of brain homeostasis as well as in the pathophysiology of major neurological and psychiatric disorders, including Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), multiple sclerosis (MS), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). In particular, changes in gut microbiota can promote enteric and peripheral neurogenic/inflammatory responses, which, in turn, could contribute to neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in the central nervous system (CNS). Of note, the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain leucine rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome acts as a key player in both coordinating the host physiology and shaping the peripheral and central immune/inflammatory responses in CNS diseases. In this context, there is pioneering evidence supporting the existence of a microbiota-gut-inflammasome-brain axis, in which enteric bacteria modulate, via NLRP3 signaling, inflammatory pathways that, in turn, contribute to influence brain homeostasis. The present review provides an overview of current knowledge on the role of microbiota-gut-inflammasome-brain axis in the major CNS diseases, including PD, AD, MS, ASD and MDD. In particular, though no direct and causal correlation among altered gut microbiota, NLRP3 activation and brain pathology has been demonstrated and in-depth studies are needed in this setting, our purpose was to pave the way to a novel and pioneering perspective on the pathophysiology of CNS disorders. Our intent was also to highlight and discuss whether alterations of microbiota-gut-inflammasome-brain axis support a holistic view of the pathophysiology of CNS diseases, even though each disorder displays a different clinical picture.

Core N-Glycan Structures Are Critical for the Pathogenicity of Cryptococcus neoformans by Modulating Host Cell Death

Cryptococcus neoformans is a human-pathogenic fungal pathogen that causes life-threatening meningoencephalitis in immunocompromised individuals. To investigate the roles of N-glycan core structure in cryptococcal pathogenicity, we constructed mutant strains of C. neoformans with defects in the assembly of lipid-linked N-glycans in the luminal side of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Deletion of ALG3 (alg3Δ), which encodes dolichyl-phosphate-mannose (Dol-P-Man)-dependent α-1,3-mannosyltransferase, resulted in the production of truncated neutral N-glycans carrying five mannose residues as a major species. Despite moderate or nondetectable defects in virulence-associated phenotypes in vitro, the alg3Δ mutant was avirulent in a mouse model of systemic cryptococcosis. Notably, the mutant did not show defects in early stages of host cell interaction during infection, including attachment to lung epithelial cells, opsonic/nonopsonic phagocytosis, and manipulation of phagosome acidification. However, the ability to drive macrophage cell death was greatly decreased in this mutant, without loss of cell wall remodeling capacity. Furthermore, deletion of ALG9 and ALG12, encoding Dol-P-Man-dependent α-1,2-mannosyltransferases and α-1,6-mannosyltransferases, generating truncated core N-glycans with six and seven mannose residues, respectively, also displayed remarkably reduced macrophage cell death and in vivo virulence. However, secretion levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were not reduced in the bone marrow-derived dendritic cells obtained from Asc- and Gsdmd-deficient mice infected with the alg3Δ mutant strain, excluding the possibility that pyroptosis is a main host cell death pathway dependent on intact core N-glycans. Our results demonstrated N-glycan structures as a critical feature in modulating death of host cells, which is exploited by as a strategy for host cell escape for dissemination of C. neoformansIMPORTANCE We previously reported that the outer mannose chains of N-glycans are dispensable for the virulence of C. neoformans, which is in stark contrast to findings for the other human-pathogenic yeast, Candida albicans Here, we present evidence that an intact core N-glycan structure is required for C. neoformans pathogenicity by systematically analyzing alg3Δ, alg9Δ, and alg12Δ strains that have defects in lipid-linked N-glycan assembly and in in vivo virulence. The alg null mutants producing truncated core N-glycans were defective in inducing host cell death after phagocytosis, which is triggered as a mechanism of pulmonary escape and dissemination of C. neoformans, thus becoming inactive in causing fatal infection. The results clearly demonstrated the critical features of the N-glycan structure in mediating the interaction with host cells during fungal infection. The delineation of the roles of protein glycosylation in fungal pathogenesis not only provides insight into the glycan-based fungal infection mechanism but also will aid in the development of novel antifungal agents.

Caspase-1 cleaves Bid to release mitochondrial SMAC and drive secondary necrosis in the absence of GSDMD

Caspase-1 drives a lytic inflammatory cell death named pyroptosis by cleaving the pore-forming cell death executor gasdermin-D (GSDMD). Gsdmd deficiency, however, only delays cell lysis, indicating that caspase-1 controls alternative cell death pathways. Here, we show that in the absence of GSDMD, caspase-1 activates apoptotic initiator and executioner caspases and triggers a rapid progression into secondary necrosis. GSDMD-independent cell death required direct caspase-1-driven truncation of Bid and generation of caspase-3 p19/p12 by either caspase-8 or caspase-9. tBid-induced mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization was also required to drive SMAC release and relieve inhibitor of apoptosis protein inhibition of caspase-3, thereby allowing caspase-3 auto-processing to the fully active p17/p12 form. Our data reveal that cell lysis in inflammasome-activated Gsdmd-deficient cells is caused by a synergistic effect of rapid caspase-1-driven activation of initiator caspases-8/-9 and Bid cleavage, resulting in an unusually fast activation of caspase-3 and immediate transition into secondary necrosis. This pathway might be advantageous for the host in counteracting pathogen-induced inhibition of GSDMD but also has implications for the use of GSDMD inhibitors in immune therapies for caspase-1-dependent inflammatory disease.

Helicobacter pylori Avoids the Critical Activation of NLRP3 Inflammasome-Mediated Production of Oncogenic Mature IL-1β in Human Immune Cells

Helicobacter pylori persistently colonizes the human stomach, and is associated with inflammation-induced gastric cancer. Bacterial crosstalk with the host immune system produces various inflammatory mediators and subsequent reactions in the host, but not bacterial clearance. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is implicated in gastric cancer development and certain gene polymorphisms play a role in this scenario. Mature IL-1β production depends on inflammasome activation, and the NLRP3 inflammasome is a major driver in H. pylori-infected mice, while recent studies demonstrated the down-regulation of NLRP3 expression in human immune cells, indicating a differential NLRP3 regulation in human vs. mice. In addition to the formation of mature IL-1β or IL-18, inflammasome activation induces pyroptotic death in cells. We demonstrate that H. pylori infection indeed upregulated the expression of pro-IL-1β in human immune cells, but secreted only very low amounts of mature IL-1β. However, application of exogenous control activators such as Nigericin or ATP to infected cells readily induced NLRP3 inflammasome formation and secretion of high amounts of mature IL-1β. This suggests that chronic H. pylori infection in humans manipulates inflammasome activation and pyroptosis for bacterial persistence. This inflammasome deregulation during H. pylori infection, however, is prone to external stimulation by microbial, environmental or host molecules of inflammasome activators for the production of high amounts of mature IL-1β and signaling-mediated gastric tumorigenesis in humans.

Caspase-8 is the molecular switch for apoptosis, necroptosis and pyroptosis

Caspase-8 is the initiator caspase of extrinsic apoptosis^1,2 and inhibits necroptosis mediated by RIPK3 and MLKL. Accordingly, caspase-8 deficiency in mice causes embryonic lethality³, which can be rescued by deletion of either Ripk3 or Mlkl^4-6. Here we show that the expression of enzymatically inactive CASP8(C362S) causes embryonic lethality in mice by inducing necroptosis and pyroptosis. Similar to Casp8^-/- mice^3,7, Casp8^C362S/C362S mouse embryos died after endothelial cell necroptosis leading to cardiovascular defects. MLKL deficiency rescued the cardiovascular phenotype but unexpectedly caused perinatal lethality in Casp8^C362S/C362S mice, indicating that CASP8(C362S) causes necroptosis-independent death at later stages of embryonic development. Specific loss of the catalytic activity of caspase-8 in intestinal epithelial cells induced intestinal inflammation similar to intestinal epithelial cell-specific Casp8 knockout mice⁸. Inhibition of necroptosis by additional deletion of Mlkl severely aggravated intestinal inflammation and caused premature lethality in Mlkl knockout mice with specific loss of caspase-8 catalytic activity in intestinal epithelial cells. Expression of CASP8(C362S) triggered the formation of ASC specks, activation of caspase-1 and secretion of IL-1β. Both embryonic lethality and premature death were completely rescued in Casp8^C362S/C362SMlkl^-/-Asc^-/- or Casp8^C362S/C362SMlkl^-/-Casp1^-/- mice, indicating that the activation of the inflammasome promotes CASP8(C362S)-mediated tissue pathology when necroptosis is blocked. Therefore, caspase-8 represents the molecular switch that controls apoptosis, necroptosis and pyroptosis, and prevents tissue damage during embryonic development and adulthood.

Phytochemicals as Novel Therapeutic Strategies for NLRP3 Inflammasome-Related Neurological, Metabolic, and Inflammatory Diseases

Several lines of evidence point out the relevance of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome as a pivotal player in the pathophysiology of several neurological and psychiatric diseases (i.e., Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and major depressive disorder), metabolic disorders (i.e., obesity and type 2 diabetes) and chronic inflammatory diseases (i.e., intestinal inflammation, arthritis, and gout). Intensive research efforts are being made to achieve an integrated view about the pathophysiological role of NLRP3 inflammasome pathways in such disorders. Evidence is also emerging that the pharmacological modulation of NLRP3 inflammasome by phytochemicals could represent a promising molecular target for the therapeutic management of neurological, psychiatric, metabolic, and inflammatory diseases. The present review article has been intended to provide an integrated and critical overview of the available clinical and experimental evidence about the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in the pathophysiology of neurological, psychiatric, metabolic, and inflammatory diseases, including PD, AD, MS, depression, obesity, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, and intestinal inflammation. Special attention has been paid to highlight and critically discuss current scientific evidence on the effects of phytochemicals on NLRP3 inflammasome pathways and their potential in counteracting central neuroinflammation, metabolic alterations, and immune/inflammatory responses in such diseases.

Harnessing Macrophages for Controlled-Release Drug Delivery: Lessons From Microbes

With the effectiveness of therapeutic agents ever decreasing and the increased incidence of multi-drug resistant pathogens, there is a clear need for administration of more potent, potentially more toxic, drugs. Alternatively, biopharmaceuticals may hold potential but require specialized protection from premature in vivo degradation. Thus, a paralleled need for specialized drug delivery systems has arisen. Although cell-mediated drug delivery is not a completely novel concept, the few applications described to date are not yet ready for in vivo application, for various reasons such as drug-induced carrier cell death, limited control over the site and timing of drug release and/or drug degradation by the host immune system. Here, we present our hypothesis for a new drug delivery system, which aims to negate these limitations. We propose transport of nanoparticle-encapsulated drugs inside autologous macrophages polarized to M1 phenotype for high mobility and treated to induce transient phagosome maturation arrest. In addition, we propose a significant shift of existing paradigms in the study of host-microbe interactions, in order to study microbial host immune evasion and dissemination patterns for their therapeutic utilization in the context of drug delivery. We describe a system in which microbial strategies may be adopted to facilitate absolute control over drug delivery, and without sacrificing the host carrier cells. We provide a comprehensive summary of the lessons we can learn from microbes in the context of drug delivery and discuss their feasibility for in vivo therapeutic application. We then describe our proposed "synthetic microbe drug delivery system" in detail. In our opinion, this multidisciplinary approach may hold the solution to effective, controlled drug delivery.

In Fungal Intracellular Pathogenesis, Form Determines Fate

For pathogenic microbes to survive ingestion by macrophages, they must subvert powerful microbicidal mechanisms within the phagolysosome. After ingestion, Candida albicans undergoes a morphological transition producing hyphae, while the surrounding phagosome exhibits a loss of phagosomal acidity. However, how these two events are related has remained enigmatic. Now Westman et al. (mBio 9:e01226-18, 2018, https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.01226-18) report that phagosomal neutralization results from disruption of phagosomal membrane integrity by the enlarging hyphae, directly implicating the morphological transition in physical damage that promotes intracellular survival. The C. albicans intracellular strategy shows parallels with another fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans, where a morphological changed involving capsular enlargement intracellularly is associated with loss of membrane integrity and death of the host cell. These similarities among distantly related pathogenic fungi suggest that morphological transitions that are common in fungi directly affect the outcome of the fungal cell-macrophage interaction. For this class of organisms, form determines fate in the intracellular environment.

Zinc finger protein 91 positively regulates the production of IL-1β in macrophages by activation of MAPKs and non-canonical caspase-8 inflammasome

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

IL-1β is a cytokine of critical importance in inflammatory, infectious and autoimmune diseases. Zinc finger protein 91 (ZFP91) has been reported to be involved in multiple biological processes. Here, we identified a previously unknown role for ZFP91 in the production of biologically active IL-1β and investigated the underlying mechanisms of its effects.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

In vitro, the underlying mechanisms of ZFP91 at inhibiting the expression of IL-1β were investigated by ELISA, RT-PCR, Western blotting, immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence assays. In vivo, colitis was induced by giving 4% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) p.o. in drinking water for 5 days. Peritonitis was induced by injecting 700 μg alum i.p. for 12 h.

KEY RESULTS

ZFP91 activated the non-canonical caspase-8 inflammasome, which resulted in robust IL-1β secretion. Using an immunoprecipitation assay and immunofluorescence assay, we found that ZFP91 promoted the assembly of the non-canonical caspase-8 inflammasome complex. Moreover, ZFP91 enhanced the activation of ERK, p38 MAPK and JNK in macrophages. In addition, our data demonstrate that the synthesis of pro-IL-1β is dependent on activation of these MAPK signalling pathways. In vivo experiments, the symptoms and colonic inflammation associated with DSS-induced colitis were ameliorated in mice deficient in ZFP91. Furthermore, the inflammation in alum-induced peritonitis was also attenuated in mice deficient in ZFP91.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Our research describes a mechanism by which ZFP91 promotes production of IL-1β under physiological conditions and suggests that ZFP91 may be a promising therapeutic target for intervention in inflammatory, infectious and autoimmune-related diseases.

Fungal β-Glucan Activates the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells Through ROS Production

The nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome has developed as an important bridge between innate immune and infection recently, and has the ability to drive proteolytic procaspase-1 into bioactive caspase-1, then responsible for proteolytic processing of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18. Fungal β-glucan, a major component of fungal cell wall, triggers inflammatory response in multiple immune cells, but rarely described in epithelial cells. Also, the relationship between fungal β-glucan and NLRP3 inflammasome is not clear yet. In this study, we first identified that curdlan, a large particulate β-glucan, could activate the NLRP3 inflammasome in LPS-primed human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs). RT-PCR and Western Blot showed that curdlan upregulate the mRNA as well as intracellular protein expression of NLRP3 and IL-1β in HBECs, along with the activity of caspase-1, and the level of mature IL-1β in cell supernatants was higher by ELISA detection. Further studies demonstrated that the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome could be attenuated by NAC, an inhibitor of ROS. Thus, it indicated curdlan activate NLRP3 inflammasome through a pathway requiring ROS production in HBECs. These findings may provide a new therapeutic target, NLRP3 inflammasome, in invasive pulmonary fungal infections.

Cytosolic Recognition of Microbes and Pathogens: Inflammasomes in Action

Infection is a dynamic biological process underpinned by a complex interplay between the pathogen and the host. Microbes from all domains of life, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoan parasites, have the capacity to cause infection. Infection is sensed by the host, which often leads to activation of the inflammasome, a cytosolic macromolecular signaling platform that mediates the release of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18 and cleavage of the pore-forming protein gasdermin D, leading to pyroptosis. Host-mediated sensing of the infection occurs when pathogens inject or carry pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) into the cytoplasm or induce damage that causes cytosolic liberation of danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) in the host cell. Recognition of PAMPs and DAMPs by inflammasome sensors, including NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4, NAIP, AIM2, and Pyrin, initiates a cascade of events that culminate in inflammation and cell death. However, pathogens can deploy virulence factors capable of minimizing or evading host detection. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms of microbe-induced activation of the inflammasome and the functional consequences of inflammasome activation in infectious diseases. We also explore the microbial strategies used in the evasion of inflammasome sensing at the host-microbe interaction interface.

High-Throughput Screening Identifies Genes Required for Candida albicans Induction of Macrophage Pyroptosis

The innate immune system is the first line of defense against invasive fungal infections. As a consequence, many successful fungal pathogens have evolved elegant strategies to interact with host immune cells. For example, Candida albicans undergoes a morphogenetic switch coupled to cell wall remodeling upon phagocytosis by macrophages and then induces macrophage pyroptosis, an inflammatory cell death program. To elucidate the genetic circuitry through which C. albicans orchestrates this host response, we performed the first large-scale analysis of C. albicans interactions with mammalian immune cells. We identified 98 C. albicans genes that enable macrophage pyroptosis without influencing fungal cell morphology in the macrophage, including specific determinants of cell wall biogenesis and the Hog1 signaling cascade. Using these mutated genes, we discovered that defects in the activation of pyroptosis affect immune cell recruitment during infection. Examining host circuitry required for pyroptosis in response to C. albicans infection, we discovered that inflammasome priming and activation can be decoupled. Finally, we observed that apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) oligomerization can occur prior to phagolysosomal rupture by C. albicans hyphae, demonstrating that phagolysosomal rupture is not the inflammasome activating signal. Taking the data together, this work defines genes that enable fungal cell wall remodeling and activation of macrophage pyroptosis independently of effects on morphogenesis and identifies macrophage signaling components that are required for pyroptosis in response to C. albicans infection.

Candida albicans is a natural member of the human mucosal microbiota that can also cause superficial infections and life-threatening systemic infections, both of which are characterized by inflammation. Host defense relies mainly on the ingestion and destruction of C. albicans by innate immune cells, such as macrophages and neutrophils. Although some C. albicans cells are killed by macrophages, most undergo a morphological change and escape by inducing macrophage pyroptosis. Here, we investigated the C. albicans genes and host factors that promote macrophage pyroptosis in response to intracellular fungi. This work provides a foundation for understanding how host immune cells interact with C. albicans and may lead to effective strategies to modulate inflammation induced by fungal infections.

The Outcome of the Cryptococcus neoformans-Macrophage Interaction Depends on Phagolysosomal Membrane Integrity

Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungal pathogen with worldwide distribution. C. neoformans resides within mature phagolysosomes where it often evades killing and replicates. C. neoformans induces phagolysosomal membrane permeabilization (PMP), but the mechanism for this phenomenon and its consequences for macrophage viability are unknown. In this study, we used flow cytometry methodology in combination with cell viability markers and LysoTracker to measure PMP in J774.16 and murine bone marrow-derived macrophages infected with C. neoformans Our results showed that cells manifesting PMP were positive for apoptotic markers, indicating an association between PMP and apoptosis. We investigated the role of phospholipase B1 in C. neoformans induction of PMP. Macrophages infected with a C. neoformans Δplb1 mutant had reduced PMP compared with those infected with wild-type and phospholipase B1-complemented strains, suggesting a mechanism of action for this virulence factor. Capsular enlargement inside macrophages was identified as an additional likely mechanism for phagolysosomal membrane damage. Macrophages undergoing apoptosis did not maintain an acidic phagolysosomal pH. Induction of PMP with ciprofloxacin enhanced macrophages to trigger lytic exocytosis whereas nonlytic exocytosis was common in those without PMP. Our results suggest that modulation of PMP is a critical event in determining the outcome of C. neoformans-macrophage interaction.

Mechanisms of Cryptococcus neoformans-Mediated Host Damage

Cryptococcus neoformans is not usually considered a cytotoxic fungal pathogen but there is considerable evidence that this microbe can damage host cells and tissues. In this essay, we review the evidence that C. neoformans damages host cells and note that the mechanisms involved are diverse. We consider C. neoformans-mediated host damage at the molecular, cellular, tissue, and organism level. Direct mechanisms of cytotoxicity include lytic exocytosis, organelle dysfunction, phagolysosomal membrane damage, and cytoskeletal alterations. Cytotoxicity contributes to pathogenesis by interfering with immune effector cell function and disrupting endothelial barriers thus allowing dissemination. When C. neoformans-mediated and immune-mediated host damage is sufficient to affect homeostasis, cryptococcosis occurs at the organism level.

Differential In Vitro Cytokine Induction by the Species of Cryptococcus gattii Complex

Cryptococcal species vary in capsule and cell size, thermotolerance, geographic distribution, and affected populations. Cryptococcus gattii sensu stricto and C. deuterogattii affect mainly immunocompetent hosts; however, C. bacillisporus, C. decagattii, and C. tetragattii cause infections mainly in immunocompromised hosts. This study aimed to compare the capacities of different species of the C. gattii species complex to induce cytokines and antimicrobial molecules in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Cryptococcus bacillisporus and C. deuterogattii induced the lowest levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6 among the five species of the C. gattii complex. Cryptococcus deuterogattii induced higher levels of IL-22 than those induced by C. tetragattii and the environmental species C. flavescens In addition, C. bacillisporus and C. gattii sensu stricto proliferated inside human monocyte-derived macrophages after 24 h of infection. All Cryptococcus species were able to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human PBMCs, with C. bacillisporus and C. deuterogattii being more efficient than the other species. In conclusion, C. bacillisporus and C. deuterogattii induce lower levels of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 and higher ROS levels than those induced by the other species. Species of the Cryptococcus gattii complex have different abilities to induce cytokine and ROS production by human PBMCs.

Innate Immunity against Cryptococcus, from Recognition to Elimination

Cryptococcus species, the etiological agents of cryptococcosis, are encapsulated fungal yeasts that predominantly cause disease in immunocompromised individuals, and are responsible for 15% of AIDS-related deaths worldwide. Exposure follows the inhalation of the yeast into the lung alveoli, making it incumbent upon the pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) of pulmonary phagocytes to recognize highly conserved pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPS) of fungi. The main challenges impeding the ability of pulmonary phagocytes to effectively recognize Cryptococcus include the presence of the yeast's large polysaccharide capsule, as well as other cryptococcal virulence factors that mask fungal PAMPs and help Cryptococcus evade detection and subsequent activation of the immune system. This review will highlight key phagocyte cell populations and the arsenal of PRRs present on these cells, such as the Toll-like receptors (TLRs), C-type lectin receptors, NOD-like receptors (NLRs), and soluble receptors. Additionally, we will highlight critical cryptococcal PAMPs involved in the recognition of Cryptococcus. The question remains as to which PRR-ligand interaction is necessary for the recognition, phagocytosis, and subsequent killing of Cryptococcus.

An updated view on the functions of caspases in inflammation and immunity

The binary classification of mammalian caspases as either apoptotic or inflammatory is now obsolete. Emerging data indicate that all mammalian caspases are intricately involved in the regulation of inflammation and immunity. They participate in embryonic and adult tissue homeostasis, control leukocyte differentiation, activation and effector functions, and mediate innate and adaptive immunity signaling. Caspases also promote host resistance by regulating anti-oxidant defense and pathogen clearance through regulation of phagosomal maturation, actin dynamics and phagosome-lysosome fusion. Beyond apoptosis, they regulate inflammatory cell death, eliciting rapid pyroptosis of infected cells, while inhibiting necroptosis-mediated tissue destruction and chronic inflammation. In this review, we describe the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying non-apoptotic functions of caspases in inflammation and immunity and provide an updated view of their functions as central regulators of tissue homeostasis and host defense.

Contribution of IL-1RI Signaling to Protection against Cryptococcus neoformans 52D in a Mouse Model of Infection

Interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) are pro-inflammatory cytokines that are induced after Cryptococcus neoformans infection and activate the interleukin-1 receptor type I (IL-1RI). To establish the role of IL-1RI signaling in protection against cryptococcal infection, we analyzed wild-type (WT) and IL-1RI-deficient (IL-1RI^−/−) mice on the BALB/c background. IL-1RI^−/− mice had significantly reduced survival compared to WT mice after intratracheal challenge with C. neoformans 52D. Microbiological analysis showed a significant increase in the lung and brain fungal burden of IL-1RI^−/− compared to WT mice beginning at weeks 1 and 4 postinfection, respectively. Histopathology showed that IL-1RI^−/− mice exhibit greater airway epithelial mucus secretion and prominent eosinophilic crystals that were absent in WT mice. Susceptibility of IL-1RI^−/− mice was associated with significant induction of a Th2-biased immune response characterized by pulmonary eosinophilia, M2 macrophage polarization, and recruitment of CD4⁺ IL-13⁺ T cells. Expression of pro-inflammatory [IL-1α, IL-1β, TNFα, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1)], Th1-associated (IFNγ), and Th17-associated (IL-17A) cytokines was significantly reduced in IL-1RI^−/− lungs compared to WT. WT mice also had higher expression of KC/CXCL1 and sustained neutrophil recruitment to the lung; however, antibody-mediated depletion of these cells showed that they were dispensable for lung fungal clearance. In conclusion, our data indicate that IL-1RI signaling is required to activate a complex series of innate and adaptive immune responses that collectively enhance host defense and survival after C. neoformans 52D infection in BALB/c mice.

A Dectin-1-Caspase-8 Pathway Licenses Canonical Caspase-1 Inflammasome Activation and Interleukin-1β Release in Response to a Pathogenic Fungus

Background

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is equipped with an arsenal of virulence factors that are crucial for causing infection. Our group previously defined the NLRP3 inflammasome as a mediator of P brasiliensis-induced cell damage recognition and induction of effective Th1 immune responses. However, deficiency of caspase-1 only partially reduced interleukin (IL)-1β levels.

Methods

In this study, using chemical inhibitors as well as genetically modified mice, we identify an additional pathway for IL-1β production in response to P brasiliensis infection.

Results

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis initiated caspase-8-mediated IL-1β production, an event that was necessary for transcriptional priming and posttranslational processing of pro-IL-1β. Caspase-8 synergizes with the canonical NLRP3 inflammasome pathway to control caspase-1 processing and IL-1β maturation, providing a regulatory role for caspase-8 in host resistance to in vivo P brasiliensis infection.

Conclusions

Taken together, these findings revealed an important role for caspase-8 in the innate immune response of host cells to P brasiliensis infection, demonstrating a connected network between noncanonical and canonical inflammasomes to coordinate IL-1β production during fungal challenge.

Remodelling of the gut microbiota by hyperactive NLRP3 induces regulatory T cells to maintain homeostasis

Inflammasomes are involved in gut homeostasis and inflammatory pathologies, but the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in these processes is not well understood. Cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS) patients with NLRP3 mutations have autoinflammation in skin, joints, and eyes, but not in the intestine. Here we show that the intestines of CAPS model mice carrying an Nlrp3^R258W mutation maintain homeostasis in the gut. Additionally, such mice are strongly resistant to experimental colitis and colorectal cancer; this is mainly through a remodelled gut microbiota with enhanced anti-inflammatory capacity due to increased induction of regulatory T cells (T_regs). Mechanistically, NLRP3^R258W functions exclusively in the lamina propria mononuclear phagocytes to directly enhance IL-1β but not IL-18 secretion. Increased IL-1β boosts local antimicrobial peptides to facilitate microbiota remodelling. Our data show that NLRP3^R258W-induced remodelling of the gut microbiota, induces local T_regs to maintain homeostasis and compensate for otherwise-detrimental intestinal inflammation.

Inflammasomes are involved in gut homeostasis and inflammatory pathologies. The authors show that a hyperactive NLRP3 inflammasome maintains gut homeostasis through remodelling of the gut microbiota and induction of regulatory T cells.

The Major Chromoblastomycosis Etiologic Agent Fonsecaea pedrosoi Activates the NLRP3 Inflammasome

Fonsecaea pedrosoi is the main etiologic agent of chromoblastomycosis (CBM), one of the most prevalent subcutaneous mycosis in tropical and subtropical countries. CBM is a poorly characterized chronic infection that commonly starts after transcutaneous inoculation of conidia and saprophytic hyphae of F. pedrosoi. Recently, we have shown that unlike conidia, hyphae and muriform cells (the parasitic morphotype) of F. pedrosoi promotes an intense inflammatory response pattern in vivo, which comprises the production of an inflammasome-derived cytokine, IL-1β. Nonetheless, the mechanisms underlying IL-1β production and maturation upon F. pedrosoi infection and its functional output in the course of CBM remains unknown. We show here that F. pedrosoi hyphae, differently from conidia, induce IL-1β secretion in both bone marrow-derived dendritic cells and macrophages. Using inhibitors and knockout cells, we demonstrated that the mechanisms underlying IL-1β production by hyphae-infected macrophages were dependent on dectin-1, -2, and -3 receptors and the Syk-NF-kB signaling pathway. Furthermore, F. pedrosoi promoted a NLRP3-dependent inflammasome activation, which required potassium efflux, reactive oxygen species production, phagolysosomal acidification, and cathepsin B release as triggers. IL-1β processing and release was mediated primarily by caspase-1 and, to a lesser extent, by caspase-8-dependent cleavage. Finally, we showed using a murine CBM model that F. pedrosoi elicits a NLRP3-regulated IL-1β and interleukin-18 release in vivo, but without NLRP3 inflammasome activation interfering in the course of the experimental infection.

The H7N9 influenza A virus infection results in lethal inflammation in the mammalian host via the NLRP3-caspase-1 inflammasome

The avian origin influenza A virus (IAV) H7N9 has caused a considerable number of human infections associated with high rates of death since its emergence in 2013. As a vital component of the host innate immune system, the nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat containing receptor, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome plays a critical role against H1N1 viral infection. However, the function of NLRP3 inflammasome in host immunological responses to the lethal H7N9 virus is still obscure. Here, we demonstrated that mice deficient for NLRP3 inflammasome components, including NLRP3, caspase-1, and Apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), were less susceptible to H7N9 viral challenge than wild type (WT) controls. Inflammasome deficiency in these animals led to significantly milder mortality and less pulmonary inflammation compared with WT mice. Furthermore, IL-1 receptor deficient mice also exhibited a higher survival rate than WT controls. Thus, our study reveals that the NLRP3 inflammasome is deleterious for the host during H7N9 infection in mice, which is due to an overwhelming inflammatory response via caspase-1 activation and associated IL-1 signal. Therefore, fine-tuning the activity of NLRP3 inflammasome or IL-1 signaling may be beneficial for the host to control H7N9 associated lethal pathogenesis.