The NLRP3 Inflammasome Works as a Sensor for Detecting Hypoactivity of the Mitochondrial Src Family Kinases

Gefitinib (GF), the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) targeting epidermal growth factor receptor, initiates lung inflammation through the NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. However, the molecular targets and mechanisms underlying the inflammatory action of GF remain unknown. In this study, we identified mitochondrial Src family kinases (mSFKs) as key determinants of GF-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Comprehensive analysis of the TKIs revealed that all TKIs we tested act as potent agonists for the NLRP3 inflammasome in human monocytic THP-1 cells and bone marrow-derived macrophages. Moreover, these TKIs share a common off-target activity against the mSFKs, such as c-Src, Fgr, and Fyn. Interestingly, loss of each kinase spontaneously stimulated the NLRP3 inflammasome activation in THP-1 cells. These results together suggest that NLRP3 senses hypoactivity of the mSFKs that is responsible for mitochondrial dysfunction. Thus, our findings demonstrate a mechanistic link between the NLRP3 inflammasome and mSFKs, which, to our knowledge, provides insights into a novel molecular basis and cellular function of the NLRP3 inflammasome.