Activation of NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasomes by Porphyromonas gingivalis infection

Infect Immun. 2014 Jan;82(1):112-23. doi: 10.1128/IAI.00862-13. Epub 2013 Oct 14.

Abstract

Porphyromonas gingivalis, a major periodontopathogen, is involved in the pathogenesis of periodontitis. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), a proinflammatory cytokine, regulates innate immune responses and is critical for the host defense against bacterial infection. However, excessive IL-1β is linked to periodontal destruction. IL-1β synthesis, maturation, and secretion are tightly regulated by Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling and inflammasome activation. We found much higher levels of inflammasome components in the gingival tissues from patients with chronic periodontitis than in those from healthy controls. To investigate the molecular mechanisms by which P. gingivalis infection causes IL-1β secretion, we examined the characteristics of P. gingivalis-induced signaling in differentiated THP-1 cells. We found that P. gingivalis induces IL-1β secretion and inflammatory cell death via caspase-1 activation. We also found that P. gingivalis-induced IL-1β secretion and pyroptic cell death required both NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasome activation. The activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome was mediated by ATP release, the P2X7 receptor, and lysosomal damage. In addition, we found that the priming signal via TLR2 and TLR4 activation precedes P. gingivalis-induced IL-1β release. Our study provides novel insight into the innate immune response against P. gingivalis infection which could potentially be used for the prevention and therapy of periodontitis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / metabolism
  • Bacteroidaceae Infections / immunology*
  • Bacteroidaceae Infections / metabolism
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Caspase 1 / metabolism
  • Cell Death / physiology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Female
  • Gingiva / metabolism
  • Gingival Crevicular Fluid / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Inflammasomes / immunology*
  • Inflammasomes / metabolism
  • Interleukin-1beta / metabolism*
  • Middle Aged
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Periodontitis / immunology*
  • Periodontitis / metabolism
  • Periodontitis / microbiology
  • Porphyromonas gingivalis / immunology
  • Porphyromonas gingivalis / physiology*
  • Receptors, Purinergic P2X7 / physiology
  • Toll-Like Receptor 2 / metabolism
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / metabolism

Substances

  • AIM2 protein, human
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cytokines
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Inflammasomes
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • NLRP3 protein, human
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Receptors, Purinergic P2X7
  • TLR2 protein, human
  • TLR4 protein, human
  • Toll-Like Receptor 2
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4
  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • Caspase 1