IL-1 receptor antagonist ameliorates inflammasome-dependent alcoholic steatohepatitis in mice

J Clin Invest. 2012 Oct;122(10):3476-89. doi: 10.1172/JCI60777. Epub 2012 Sep 4.

Abstract

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is characterized by steatosis and upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β. IL-1β, type I IL-1 receptor (IL-1R1), and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) are all important regulators of the IL-1 signaling complex, which plays a role in inflammation. Furthermore, IL-1β maturation is dependent on caspase-1 (Casp-1). Using IL-1Ra-treated mice as well as 3 mouse models deficient in regulators of IL-1β activation (Casp-1 and ASC) or signaling (IL-1R1), we found that IL-1β signaling is required for the development of alcohol-induced liver steatosis, inflammation, and injury. Increased IL-1β was due to upregulation of Casp-1 activity and inflammasome activation. The pathogenic role of IL-1 signaling in ALD was attributable to the activation of the inflammasome in BM-derived Kupffer cells. Importantly, in vivo intervention with a recombinant IL-1Ra blocked IL-1 signaling and markedly attenuated alcohol-induced liver inflammation, steatosis, and damage. Furthermore, physiological doses of IL-1β induced steatosis, increased the inflammatory and prosteatotic chemokine MCP-1 in hepatocytes, and augmented TLR4-dependent upregulation of inflammatory signaling in macrophages. In conclusion, we demonstrated that Casp-1-dependent upregulation of IL-1β and signaling mediated by IL-1R1 are crucial in ALD pathogenesis. Our findings suggest a potential role of IL-1R1 inhibition in the treatment of ALD.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carrier Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Caspase 1 / physiology
  • Chemokine CCL2 / biosynthesis
  • Chemokine CCL2 / genetics
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Ethanol / toxicity
  • Fatty Liver, Alcoholic / drug therapy*
  • Fatty Liver, Alcoholic / etiology
  • Female
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism
  • Inflammasomes / physiology*
  • Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein / therapeutic use*
  • Interleukin-1alpha / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-1alpha / blood
  • Interleukin-1beta / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-1beta / blood
  • Interleukin-1beta / physiology
  • Interleukin-1beta / toxicity
  • Kupffer Cells / pathology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / etiology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / prevention & control
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • Receptors, Interleukin-1 Type I / deficiency
  • Receptors, Interleukin-1 Type I / physiology
  • Recombinant Proteins / therapeutic use
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / physiology
  • Up-Regulation / drug effects

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Ccl2 protein, mouse
  • Chemokine CCL2
  • Inflammasomes
  • Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein
  • Interleukin-1alpha
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • Nlrp3 protein, mouse
  • Receptors, Interleukin-1 Type I
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Tlr4 protein, mouse
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4
  • Ethanol
  • Caspase 1