Elevated expression of the NLRP3 inflammasome in neutrophilic asthma

Eur Respir J. 2014 Apr;43(4):1067-76. doi: 10.1183/09031936.00105013. Epub 2013 Oct 17.

Abstract

Asthma is a heterogeneous inflammatory airways disorder where interleukin (IL)-1β is thought to be a key mediator, especially in the neutrophilic subtype of asthma. The generation of active IL-1β requires proteolytic cleavage typically mediated through the formation of a caspase-1-containing inflammasome. This study hypothesised that an IL-1β endotype associated with the nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat-containing family protein (NLRP)3/apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase-recruitment domain (ASC)/caspase-1 inflammasome is characteristic of patients with the neutrophilic subtype of asthma. Participants with asthma (n=85) and healthy controls (n=27) underwent clinical assessment, spirometry and sputum induction. Sputum was processed for differential cell count, gene expression and protein mediators. NLRP3 and caspase-1 expression was also determined by immunocytochemistry. Sputum macrophages were isolated (n=8) and gene expression of NLRP3 and IL-1β determined. There was significantly elevated gene expression of NLRP3, caspase-1, caspase-4, caspase-5 and IL-1β in participants with neutrophilic asthma. Protein levels of IL-1β were significantly higher in those with neutrophilic asthma and correlated with sputum IL-8 levels. Sputum macrophages, as well as sputum neutrophils in neutrophilic asthma, expressed NLRP3 and caspase-1 protein. NLRP3 inflammasome is upregulated in neutrophilic asthma and may regulate the inflammation process observed in this asthma phenotype through production of IL-1β.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Apoptosis
  • Asthma / metabolism*
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Caspases / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Inflammasomes / metabolism*
  • Inflammation
  • Interleukin-1beta / metabolism
  • Macrophages / cytology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • Neutrophils / cytology
  • Neutrophils / metabolism*
  • Nod2 Signaling Adaptor Protein / metabolism
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Spirometry
  • Sputum / metabolism
  • Toll-Like Receptors / metabolism
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • IL1B protein, human
  • Inflammasomes
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • NLRP3 protein, human
  • NOD2 protein, human
  • Nod2 Signaling Adaptor Protein
  • Toll-Like Receptors
  • Caspases