Regulation of Nlrp3 inflammasome by dietary metabolites

Semin Immunol. 2015 Sep;27(5):334-42. doi: 10.1016/j.smim.2015.10.004.

Abstract

The bidirectional communication between innate immune cells and energy metabolism is now widely appreciated to regulate homeostasis as well as chronic diseases that emerge from dysregulated inflammation. Macronutrients-derived from diet or endogenous pathways that generate and divert metabolites into energetic or biosynthetic pathways – regulate the initiation, duration and cessation of the inflammatory response. The NLRP3 inflammasome is an important innate sensor of structurally diverse metabolic damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) that has been implicated in a wide range of inflammatory disorders associated with caloric excess, adiposity and aging. Understanding the regulators of immune-metabolic interactions and their contribution towards chronic disease mechanisms, therefore, has the potential to reduce disease pathology, improve quality of life in elderly and promote the extension of healthspan. Just as specialized subsets of immune cells dampen inflammation through the production of negative regulatory cytokines; specific immunoregulatory metabolites can deactivate inflammasome-mediated immune activation. Here, we highlight the role of energy substrates, alternative fuels and metabolic DAMPs in the regulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and discuss potential dietary interventions that may impact sterile inflammatory disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / immunology
  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Diet*
  • Energy Metabolism* / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Immunomodulation* / drug effects
  • Inflammasomes / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Inflammasomes / metabolism*
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Metabolic Diseases / drug therapy
  • Metabolic Diseases / immunology
  • Metabolic Diseases / metabolism
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Inflammasomes
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • NLRP3 protein, human