The ability to recognize pathogens and initiate inflammatory and immunologic processes to control their spread relies on innate immune system signaling. One of the most recently identified pathogen-sensing signaling pathways involves the activation of the inflammasome, a macromolecular complex responsible for proteolytic processing of several immature cytokines (IL- 12 and IL-18 in particular). The ATP-binding protein NLRP3 acts as a central scaffold during in the assembly of the inflammasome. In addition to cytokine processing, we have recently found that signaling through NLRP3 activates a novel cell death program with morphologic and biochemical features of necrosis. The NLRP3-inflammasome can be activated by numerous stimuli known to induce IL-12 secretion, suggesting that the physiologic role of NLRP3 is to integrate the response to a range of pro-inflammatory triggers. Mutations in the nucleotide-binding domain of NLRP3 can cause inherited periodic fever syndromes. We have also recently discovered that some critical virulence factors from Staphylococcus aureus activate the NLRP3 inflammasome as well. S. aureus that express these virulence factors can cause with severe necrotizing pneumonias that are characterized by systemic inflammatory response and tissue necrosis. We believe activation of NLRP3 by mutation and pathogen-dervived virulence factors represent pathologic events that lead to dysregulated inflammation and progression diseases associated with these stimuli. We now propose to further investigate both the molecular mechanisms regulating NLRP3 activation and its role in the pathogenesis of S. aureus infections. These studies will provide crucial information in understanding inflammatory signaling processes involved in the pathogenesis of a huge array of human diseases.

Public Health Relevance

We have found that several virulence factors from Methicillin Resistant S. aureus (MRSA) activate an innate immune signaling complex known as the inflammasome. We propose to carry out studies to understand how activation of host inflammation by the inflammasome affects the pathogenesis of MRSA infections. We also propose detailed studies into the mechanism that underlies activation of the inflammasome, which may identify targets for the development of pharmacologic agents that could improve the treatment of these deadly infections.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01AI088255-01A1
Application #
7992559
Study Section
Immunity and Host Defense Study Section (IHD)
Program Officer
Minnicozzi, Michael
Project Start
2010-05-01
Project End
2015-04-30
Budget Start
2010-05-01
Budget End
2011-04-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$358,240
Indirect Cost
Name
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
608195277
City
Chapel Hill
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27599
Duncan, Joseph A; Canna, Scott W (2018) The NLRC4 Inflammasome. Immunol Rev 281:115-123
Melehani, Jason H; Duncan, Joseph A (2016) Inflammasome Activation Can Mediate Tissue-Specific Pathogenesis or Protection in Staphylococcus aureus Infection. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 397:257-82
Ezekwe Jr, Ejiofor A D; Weng, Chengyu; Duncan, Joseph A (2016) ADAM10 Cell Surface Expression but Not Activity Is Critical for Staphylococcus aureus ?-Hemolysin-Mediated Activation of the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Human Monocytes. Toxins (Basel) 8:95
Whidbey, Christopher; Vornhagen, Jay; Gendrin, Claire et al. (2015) A streptococcal lipid toxin induces membrane permeabilization and pyroptosis leading to fetal injury. EMBO Mol Med 7:488-505
Gendrin, Claire; Lembo, Annalisa; Whidbey, Christopher et al. (2015) The sensor histidine kinase RgfC affects group B streptococcal virulence factor expression independent of its response regulator RgfA. Infect Immun 83:1078-88
Melehani, Jason H; James, David B A; DuMont, Ashley L et al. (2015) Staphylococcus aureus Leukocidin A/B (LukAB) Kills Human Monocytes via Host NLRP3 and ASC when Extracellular, but Not Intracellular. PLoS Pathog 11:e1004970
Giguère, Patrick M; Gall, Bryan J; Ezekwe Jr, Ejiofor A D et al. (2014) G Protein signaling modulator-3 inhibits the inflammasome activity of NLRP3. J Biol Chem 289:33245-57
Zhang, Lu; Mo, Jinyao; Swanson, Karen V et al. (2014) NLRC3, a member of the NLR family of proteins, is a negative regulator of innate immune signaling induced by the DNA sensor STING. Immunity 40:329-41
Mo, Jinyao; Duncan, Joseph A (2013) Assessing ATP binding and hydrolysis by NLR proteins. Methods Mol Biol 1040:153-68
Taxman, Debra J; Swanson, Karen V; Broglie, Peter M et al. (2012) Porphyromonas gingivalis mediates inflammasome repression in polymicrobial cultures through a novel mechanism involving reduced endocytosis. J Biol Chem 287:32791-9

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