Critical role for cathepsin B in mediating caspase-1-dependent interleukin-18 maturation and caspase-1-independent necrosis triggered by the microbial toxin nigericin

The potassium ionophore nigericin induces cell death and promotes the maturation and release of IL-1beta in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-primed monocytes and macrophages, the latter depending on caspase-1 activation by an unknown mechanism. Here, we investigate the pathway that triggers cell death and activates caspase-1. We show that without LPS priming, nigericin alone triggered caspase-1 activation and IL-18 generation in THP-1 monocytic cells. Simultaneously, nigericin induced caspase-1-independent necrotic cell death, which was blocked by the cathepsin B inhibitor CA-074-Me and other cathepsin inhibitors. Cathepsin B activation after nigericin treatment was determined biochemically and corroborated by rapid lysosomal leakage and translocation of cathepsin B to the cytoplasm. IL-18 maturation was prevented by both caspase-1 and cathepsin B inhibitors in THP-1 cells, primary mouse macrophages and human blood monocytes. Moreover, IL-18 generation was reduced in THP-1 cells stably transformed either with cystatin A (an endogenous cathepsin inhibitor) or antisense cathepsin B cDNA. Collectively, our study establishes a critical role for cathepsin B in nigericin-induced caspase-1-dependent IL-18 maturation and caspase-1-independent necrosis.     

Altered cytokine production in mice lacking P2X(7) receptors

The P2X(7) receptor (P2X(7)R) is an ATP-gated ion channel expressed by monocytes and macrophages. To directly address the role of this receptor in interleukin (IL)-1 beta post-translational processing, we have generated a P2X(7)R-deficient mouse line. P2X(7)R(-/-) macrophages respond to lipopolysaccharide and produce levels of cyclooxygenase-2 and pro-IL-1 beta comparable with those generated by wild-type cells. In response to ATP, however, pro-IL-1 beta produced by the P2X(7)R(-/-) cells is not externalized or activated by caspase-1. Nigericin, an alternate secretion stimulus, promotes release of 17-kDa IL-1 beta from P2X(7)R(-/-) macrophages. In response to in vivo lipopolysaccharide injection, both wild-type and P2X(7)R(-/-) animals display increases in peritoneal lavage IL-6 levels but no detectable IL-1. Subsequent ATP injection to wild-type animals promotes an increase in IL-1, which in turn leads to additional IL-6 production; similar increases did not occur in ATP-treated, LPS-primed P2X(7)R(-/-) animals. Absence of the P2X(7)R thus leads to an inability of peritoneal macrophages to release IL-1 in response to ATP. As a result of the IL-1 deficiency, in vivo cytokine signaling cascades are impaired in P2X(7)R-deficient animals. Together these results demonstrate that P2X(7)R activation can provide a signal that leads to maturation and release of IL-1 beta and initiation of a cytokine cascade.     

ATP acts as an agonist to promote stimulus-induced secretion of IL-1 beta and IL-18 in human blood

Cultured monocytes and macrophages stimulated with LPS produce large quantities of proIL-1beta, but release little mature cytokine to the medium. The efficiency at which the procytokine is converted to its active 17-kDa species and released extracellularly is enhanced by treating cytokine-producing cells with a secretion stimulus such as ATP or nigericin. To determine whether this need for a secretion stimulus extends to blood, individual donors were bled twice daily for 4 consecutive days, and the collected blood samples were subjected to a two-step IL-1 production assay. LPS-activated blood samples generated cell-free IL-1beta, but levels of the extracellular cytokine were greatly increased by subsequent treatment with ATP or nigericin. Specificity and concentration requirements of the nucleotide triphosphate effect suggests a P2X(7) receptor involvement. Quantities of IL-1beta generated by an individual donor's blood in response to the LPS-only and LPS/ATP stimuli were relatively consistent over the 4-day period. Between donors, consistent differences in cytokine production capacity were observed. Blood samples treated with ATP also demonstrated enhanced IL-18 production, but TNF-alpha levels decreased. Among leukocytes, monocytes appeared to be the most affected cellular targets of the ATP stimulus. These studies indicate that an exogenous stimulus is required by blood for the efficient production of IL-1beta and IL-18, and suggest that circulating blood monocytes constitutively express a P2X(7)-like receptor.     

Potassium-inhibited processing of IL-1 beta in human monocytes.

Agents that deplete cells of K+ without grossly disrupting the plasma membrane were found to stimulate the cleavage of pro-interleukin (IL)-1 beta to mature IL-1 beta. Agents examined in this study included staphylococcal alpha-toxin and gramicidin, both of which selectively permeabilize plasma membranes for monovalent ions, the ionophores nigericin and valinomycin, and the Na+/K+ ATPase inhibitor ouabain. K+ depletion by brief hypotonic shock also triggered processing of pro-IL-1 beta. The central role of K+ depletion for inducing IL-1 beta maturation was demonstrated in cells permeabilized with alpha-toxin: processing of pro-IL-1 beta was totally blocked when cells were suspended in medium that contained high K+, but could be induced by replacing extracellular K+ with Na+, choline+ or sucrose. To test whether K+ flux might also be important in physiological situations, monocytes were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 1-2 h to trigger pro-IL-1 beta synthesis, and transferred to K(+)-rich medium. This maneuver totally suppressed IL-1 beta maturation. Even after 16 h, however, removal of K+ from the medium resulted in rapid processing and export of IL-1 beta. Ongoing export of mature IL-1 beta from cells stimulated with LPS for 2-6 h could also be arrested by transfer to K(+)-rich medium. Moreover, a combination of two K+ channel blockers inhibited processing of IL-1 beta in LPS-stimulated monocytes. We hypothesize that K+ movement and local K+ concentrations directly or indirectly influence the action of interleukin-1 beta-converting enzyme (ICE) and, possibly, of related intracellular proteases.     

ATP treatment of human monocytes promotes caspase-1 maturation and externalization

Mechanisms that regulate conversion of prointerleukin-1beta (pro-IL-1beta) to its mature form by the cysteine protease caspase-1 are not well understood. In this study, we demonstrate that mature caspase-1 subunits are produced when human monocytes are treated with ATP and, like mature IL-1beta, are released extracellularly. Characterization of the pharmacological sensitivity of this stimulus-coupled response revealed that some caspase-1 inhibitors allow pro-IL-1beta secretion, whereas others do not. Two nonselective alkylating agents, N-ethylmaleimide and phenylarsine oxide, also blocked maturation and release of pro-IL-1beta. Two inhibitors of anion transport, glyburide and ethacrynic acid, blocked maturation of both caspase-1 and pro-IL-1beta and prevented release of the propolypeptides. Procaspase-3 was detected in monocyte extracts, but its proteolytic activation was not efficient in the presence of ATP. Maturation of procaspase-1 and release of the mature enzyme subunits therefore accompany stimulus-coupled human monocyte IL-1 post-translational processing. Agents that appear to selectively inhibit mature caspase-1 do not prevent ATP-treated cells from releasing their cytosolic components. On the other hand, anion transport inhibitors and alkylating agents arrest ATP-treated monocytes in a state where membrane latency is maintained. The data provided support the hypothesis that stimulus-coupled IL-1 post-translational processing involves a commitment to cell death.     

Lysophosphatidylcholine stimulates IL-1beta release from microglia via a P2X7 receptor-independent mechanism

IL-1beta released from activated macrophages contributes significantly to tissue damage in inflammatory, degenerative, and autoimmune diseases. In the present study, we identified a novel mechanism of IL-1beta release from activated microglia (brain macrophages) that occurred independently of P2X(7) ATP receptor activation. Stimulation of LPS-preactivated microglia with lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) caused rapid processing and secretion of mature 17-kDa IL-1beta. Neither LPC-induced IL-1beta release nor LPC-stimulated intracellular Ca(2+) increases were affected by inhibition of P2X(7) ATP receptors with oxidized ATP. Microglial LPC-induced IL-1beta release was suppressed in Ca(2+)-free medium or during inhibition of nonselective cation channels with Gd(3+) or La(3+). It was also attenuated when Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels were blocked with charybdotoxin (CTX). The electroneutral K(+) ionophore nigericin did not reverse the suppressive effects of CTX on LPC-stimulated IL-1beta release, demonstrating the importance of membrane hyperpolarization. Furthermore, LPC-stimulated caspase activity was unaffected by Ca(2+)-free medium or CTX, suggesting that secretion but not processing of IL-1beta is Ca(2+)- and voltage-dependent. In summary, these data indicate that the activity of nonselective cation channels and Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels is required for optimal IL-1beta release from LPC-stimulated microglia.     

IL-1 beta is secreted by activated murine macrophages as biologically inactive precursor

IL-1 alpha and IL-beta are distinct cytokines, produced by activated macrophages. The temporal sequence in the processing and secretion as well as the mechanism(s) by which IL-1 is secreted from the cells remain undefined. Here we have studied the production of IL-1 from murine macrophages after stimulation with LPS or Listeria monocytogenes by two distinct methods: i) immunoprecipitation of radio-labeled IL-1 peptides from culture supernatants, and ii) determination of IL-1 activity by neutralization with monospecific antisera to either form of IL-1. We confirmed that precursor and mature forms of both IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta can be detected in the culture supernatants after stimulation of the macrophages with 10 to 20 micrograms LPS/ml but, in addition, we report the novel finding that IL-1 beta is exclusively secreted in its unprocessed precursor form after stimulation of the cells with either 0.5 to 1 microgram LPS/ml or with L. monocytogenes. Exposure of the cells to increasing amounts of LPS led to the appearance of a 20-kDa IL-1 beta peptide in the culture supernatants concomitant with the release of a processing activity for the IL-1 beta precursor. These data therefore suggest that, in a first step, IL-1 beta is secreted as an unprocessed precursor protein that in a second, postsecretory step is cleaved by a LPS-inducible protease, thus generating the 20-kDa IL-1 beta peptide. The latter represents the biologically active IL-1 beta inasmuch as the generation of IL-1 beta activity in the culture supernatants strictly correlated with the appearance of the 20-kDa IL-1 beta peptide.     

Kinetics and mechanism of ATP-dependent IL-1 beta release from microglial cells

Endotoxin-dependent release of IL-1 beta from mouse microglial cells is a very inefficient process, as it is slow and leads to accumulation of a modest amount of extracellular cytokine. Furthermore, secreted IL-1 beta is mostly in the procytokine unprocessed form. Addition of extracellular ATP to LPS-primed microglia caused a burst of release of a large amount of processed IL-1 beta. ATP had no effect on the accumulation of intracellular pro-IL-1 beta in the absence of LPS. In LPS-treated cells, ATP slightly increased the synthesis of pro-IL-1 beta. Optimal ATP concentration for IL-1 beta secretion was between 3 and 5 mM, but significant release could be observed at concentrations as low as 1 mM. At all ATP concentrations IL-1 beta release could be inhibited by increasing the extracellular K+ concentration. ATP-dependent IL-1 beta release was also inhibited by 90 and 60% by the caspase inhibitors YVAD and DEVD, respectively. Accordingly, in ATP-stimulated microglia, the p20 proteolytic fragment derived from activation of the IL-1-beta-converting enzyme could be detected by immunoblot analysis. These experiments show that in mouse microglial cells extracellular ATP triggers fast maturation and release of intracellularly accumulated IL-beta by activating the IL-1-beta-converting enzyme/caspase 1.     

Glu496 to Ala polymorphism in the P2X7 receptor impairs ATP-induced IL-1 beta release from human monocytes

Priming of monocytes with LPS produces large quantities of intracellular, biologically inactive IL-1beta that can be processed and released by subsequent activation of the P2X7 receptor by extracellular ATP. We examined whether a loss-of-function polymorphism of the human P2X7 receptor (Glu496Ala) impairs this process. Both ATP-induced ethidium+ uptake and ATP-induced shedding of L-selectin (CD62L) were nearly absent in monocytes from four subjects homozygous for Glu496Ala confirming that this polymorphism impairs P2X7 function. The level of ATP-induced IL-1beta released in 2 h from LPS-activated whole blood from homozygous subjects was 50% of that from wild-type samples. A more marked defect in IL-1beta release was observed from LPS-activated monocytes of homozygous subjects which was only 22% of that released from wild-type monocytes after a 30-min incubation with ATP. However, after a 60-min incubation with ATP, the amount of IL-1beta released from homozygous monocytes was 70% of that released from wild-type monocytes. Incubation of monocytes of either genotype with nigericin resulted in a similar release of IL-1beta. Western blotting demonstrated that ATP induced the release of mature 17-kDa IL-1beta from monocytes, and confirmed that this process was impaired in homozygous monocytes. Finally, ATP-induced 86Rb+ efflux was 9-fold lower from homozygous monocytes than from wild-type monocytes. The results indicate that ATP-induced release of IL-1beta is slower in monocytes from subjects homozygous for the Glu496Ala polymorphism in the P2X7 receptor and that this reduced rate of IL-1beta release is associated with a lower ATP-induced K+ efflux.     

Inflammatory cytokine production in interferon-gamma-primed mice, challenged with lipopolysaccharide. Inhibition by SK&F 86002 and interleukin-1 beta-converting enzyme inhibitor

Mice challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) produce variable serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and particularly low levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta). Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) has been shown to be an important mediator of bacteria-induced hypersensitivity to LPS in mice. In the present study, we show that mice pretreated with IFN-gamma exhibit an enhanced capacity to produce serum IL-1 beta, IL-1 alpha, tumour necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) as well as IL-6 in response to LPS. Priming with intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 15 mg rat recombinant IFN-gamma, 18 hours prior to the i.p. LPS (300 mg) challenge resulted in a 4-fold increase in the LPS-stimulated release of IL-1 beta and a 2- to 7-fold increase in the release of IL-1 alpha, TNF-alpha, as well as IL-6 into the serum. LPS induced a concentration-dependent increase in the release of IL-1 beta in isolated peritoneal macrophages from IFN-gamma-primed mice whereas macrophages from unprimed mice released minute amounts of IL-1 beta. In addition, nigericin markedly enhanced the release of IL-1 beta in unprimed mice but not in macrophages from IFN-gamma primed mice. The cytokine synthesis inhibitor SK&F 86002, administered per os (100 mg/kg), 1 hour prior to LPS challenge, strongly inhibited the rise in serum levels of the four cytokines. Furthermore, treatment with the IL-1 beta converting enzyme (ICE) specific reversible inhibitor YVAD-CHO resulted in a sharp dose- and time-dependent inhibition of IL-1 beta secretion in the serum, whereas the other cytokines were not affected. In conclusion, IFN-gamma priming strongly potentiates the release of proinflammatory cytokines in the serum of mice as compared to LPS stimulation alone, and provides therefore a useful way to test the in vivo potency and selectivity of cytokine synthesis inhibitors.     

Antimicrobial peptides initiate IL-1 beta posttranslational processing: a novel role beyond innate immunity

Human monocytes stimulated with LPS produce large quantities of prointerleukin-1beta, but little of this cytokine product is released extracellularly as the mature biologically active species. To demonstrate efficient proteolytic cleavage and export, cytokine-producing cells require a secondary effector stimulus. In an attempt to identify agents that may serve as initiators of IL-1beta posttranslational processing in vivo, LPS-activated human monocytes were treated with several individual antimicrobial peptides. Two peptides derived from porcine neutrophils, protegrin (PTG)-1 and PTG-3, promoted rapid and efficient release of mature IL-1beta. The PTG-mediated response engaged a mechanism similar to that initiated by extracellular ATP acting via the P2X(7) receptor. Thus, both processes were disrupted by a caspase inhibitor, both were sensitive to ethacrynic acid and CP-424,174, two pharmacological agents that suppress posttranslational processing, and both were negated by elevation of extracellular potassium. Moreover, the PTGs, like ATP, promoted a dramatic change in monocyte morphology and a loss of membrane latency. The PTG response was concentration dependent and was influenced profoundly by components within the culture medium. In contrast, porcine neutrophil antimicrobial peptides PR-26 and PR-39 did not initiate IL-1beta posttranslational processing. The human defensin HNP-1 and the frog peptide magainin 1 elicited export of 17-kDa IL-1beta, but these agents were less efficient than PTGs. As a result of this ability to promote release of potent proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1beta, select antimicrobial peptides may possess important immunomodulatory functions that extend beyond innate immunity.     

Pyrin levels in human monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages regulate IL-1beta processing and release

Macrophages and their precursors, monocytes, are key cells involved in the innate immune response. Although both monocytes and macrophages produce caspase-1, the key enzyme responsible for pro-IL-1beta processing; macrophages are limited in their ability to activate the enzyme and release functional IL-1beta. In this context, because mutations in the pyrin gene (MEFV) cause the inflammatory disorder familial Mediterranean fever, pyrin is believed to regulate IL-1beta processing. To determine whether variations in pyrin expression explain the difference between monocytes and macrophages in IL-1beta processing and release, pyrin was studied in human monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages. Although monocytes express pyrin mRNA and protein, which is readily inducible by endotoxin, monocyte-derived macrophages express significantly less pyrin mRNA and protein. Pyrin levels directly correlated with IL-1beta processing in monocytes and macrophages; therefore, we asked whether pyrin might promote IL-1beta processing and release. HEK293 cells were transfected with pyrin, caspase-1, apoptotic speck protein with a caspase recruitment domain, and IL-1beta. Pyrin induced IL-1beta processing and release in a dose-dependent manner. Conversely, pyrin small interference RNA suppressed pro-IL-1beta processing in both THP-1 cells and fresh human monocytes. In summary, both pyrin expression and IL-1beta processing and release are diminished upon the maturation of monocytes to macrophages. When pyrin is ectopically expressed or silenced, IL-1beta processing and release parallels the level of pyrin. In conclusion, in the context of endotoxin-induced activation of mononuclear phagocytes, pyrin augments IL-1beta processing and release.     

Type III secretion translocation pores of Yersinia enterocolitica trigger maturation and release of pro-inflammatory IL-1beta

Bacteria from the genus Yersinia deliver a number of effectors into host cells via type III secretion (T3S). Injected Yop effectors interfere and prevent pro-inflammatory warning signals by hijacking the host's intracellular machinery. While macrophages infected by wild-type Yersinia enterocolitica did not release mature IL-1beta, macrophages infected by Y. enterocolitica deprived of all effectors released mature IL-1beta. Surprisingly, macrophages infected by Y. enterocolitica deficient for secretion of all T3S proteins, including effectors and translocators, did not release mature IL-1beta. Using different genetic constructs, we show that insertion of T3S translocation pores trigger activation of caspase-1, maturation of proIL-1beta and release of mature IL-1beta, which occurs independently of cell osmotic lysis. These data show that T3S translocation is intrinsically a pro-inflammatory phenomenon. However, in the case of Yersinia, this effect is neutralized by the action of effectors.     

The kinetics of interleukin 1 secretion from activated monocytes. Differences between interleukin 1 alpha and interleukin 1 beta

We have performed pulse-chase experiments to investigate the secretion and processing of interleukin 1 (IL-1) by human peripheral blood monocytes. Polyclonal antisera generated against either recombinant IL-1 alpha (p15) or IL-1 beta (p17) could distinguish the two isoelectric forms in lysates and supernatants of lipopolysaccharide-activated monocytes. In agreement with previous results, no processed IL-1 (alpha or beta) is detected in cell lysates. Both the 31-kDa precursor and 17-kDa mature forms of IL-1 were present, however, in the culture media indicating that processing is not required for secretion. The relative amounts of the secreted 31- and 17-kDa forms of IL-1 remain constant with time throughout each experiment; in addition, 31-kDa IL-1 added to monocyte cultures is not processed to the mature 17-kDa form. Precursor IL-1 beta is however, processed to 17 kDa by monocyte extracts. Therefore, the maturation and secretion of IL-1 are intimately coordinated processes. The kinetics of IL-1 secretion are unique in comparison with other secreted proteins; release of both IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta is delayed following synthesis, and large pools of precursor IL-1 accumulate intracellularly. The intracellular half-lives of IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta are 15 and 2.5 h, respectively. This discrepancy in half-lives is a reflection of the different kinetics with which IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta are secreted. IL-1 beta is released continuously beginning 2 h after synthesis, whereas the secretion of IL-1 alpha is delayed for an additional 10 h. The distinct kinetics of secretion demonstrated for IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta suggest that the release of each pI species of IL-1 is controlled by a selective mechanism(s).     

Inhibitory effects of chloride on the activation of caspase-1, IL-1beta secretion, and cytolysis by the P2X7 receptor

The P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) is an ATP-gated cation channel that activates caspase-1 leading to the maturation and secretion of IL-1beta. Because previous studies indicated that extracellular Cl- exerts a negative allosteric effect on ATP-gating of P2X7R channels, we tested whether Cl- attenuates the P2X7R-->caspase-1-->IL-1beta signaling cascade in murine and human macrophages. In Bac1 murine macrophages, substitution of extracellular Cl- with gluconate produced a 10-fold increase in the rate and extent of ATP-induced IL-1beta processing and secretion, while reducing the EC50 for ATP by 5-fold. Replacement of Cl- with gluconate also increased the potency of ATP as an inducer of mature IL-1beta secretion in primary mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages and in THP-1 human monocytes/macrophages. Our observations were consistent with actions of Cl- at three levels: 1) a negative allosteric effect of Cl-, which limits the ability of ATP to gate the P2X7R-mediated cation fluxes that trigger caspase-1 activation; 2) an intracellular accumulation of Cl- via nonselective pores induced by P2X7R with consequential repression of caspase-1-mediated processing of IL-1beta; and 3) a facilitative effect of Cl- substitution on the cytolytic release of unprocessed pro-IL-1beta that occurs with sustained activation of P2X7R. This cytolysis was repressed by the cytoprotectant glycine, permitting dissociation of P2X7R-regulated secretion of mature IL-1beta from the lytic release of pro-IL-1beta. These results suggest that under physiological conditions P2X7R are maintained in a conformationally restrained state that limits channel gating and coupling of the receptor to signaling pathways that regulate caspase-1.     

Geranylgeraniol regulates negatively caspase-1 autoprocessing: implication in the Th1 response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Caspase-1 is a cysteine protease composed by two 20-kDa and two 10-kDa subunits that processes pro-IL-1beta and pro-IL-18 to their mature forms. This enzyme is present in cells as a latent zymogen that becomes active through a tightly regulated proteolytic cascade. Activation is initiated by the oligomerization of an adaptor molecule, or by the formation of a multiprotein complex named inflammasome. Negative regulation of caspase-1 activation is exerted by proteins that compete with the adaptor molecule or with the inflammasome formation. We previously reported that fluvastatin, an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, increases caspase-1 activity in PBMC. This effect was strengthened by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, rending an exacerbated IL-1beta, IL-18, and IFN-gamma production. Mevalonate, the product of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, is a precursor for both nonsterol isoprenoid and sterol formation. In this study, we studied the involvement of mevalonate derivatives in the regulation of caspase-1 activation. Inhibition of sterol formation by SKF-104976 or haloperidol had no effect on IL-1beta release. However, the isoprenoid geranylgeraniol prevented both caspase-1 activation and the exacerbated IL production induced by fluvastatin. This isoprenoid significantly reduced the release of IL-18 and IFN-gamma by PBMC treated with mycobacteria, even in the absence of fluvastatin. In correlation with the increased caspase-1 activity, fluvastatin stimulated the proforms cleavage, enhancing the formation of active subunit p10. Geranylgeraniol not only prevented this effect, but induced proforms accumulation. Present results suggest that, once the proteolytic cascade is initiated, geranylgeraniol may exert an additional negative regulation on caspase-1 cleavage process.     

P2X7 receptor differentially couples to distinct release pathways for IL-1beta in mouse macrophage

The proinflammatory IL-1 cytokines IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-18 are key mediators of the acute immune response to injury and infection. Mechanisms underlying their cellular release remain unclear. Activation of purinergic P2X(7) receptors (P2X(7)R) by extracellular ATP is a key physiological inducer of rapid IL-1beta release from LPS-primed macrophage. We investigated patterns of ATP-mediated release of IL-1 cytokines from three macrophage types in attempts to provide direct evidence for or against distinct release mechanisms. We used peritoneal macrophage from P2X(7)R(-/-) mice and found that release of IL-1alpha, IL-18, as well as IL-1beta, by ATP resulted exclusively from activation of P2X(7)R, release of all these IL-1 cytokines involved pannexin-1 (panx1), and that there was both a panx1-dependent and -independent component to IL-1beta release. We compared IL-1-release patterns from LPS-primed peritoneal macrophage, RAW264.7 macrophage, and J774A.1 macrophage. We found RAW264.7 macrophage readily release pro-IL-1beta independently of panx1 but do not release mature IL-1beta because they do not express apoptotic speck-like protein with a caspase-activating recruiting domain and so have no caspase-1 inflammasome activity. We delineated two distinct release pathways: the well-known caspase-1 cascade mediating release of processed IL-1beta that was selectively blocked by inhibition of caspase-1 or panx1, and a calcium-independent, caspase-1/panx1-independent release of pro-IL-1beta that was selectively blocked by glycine. None of these release responses were associated with cell damage or cytolytic effects. This provides the first direct demonstration of a distinct signaling mechanism responsible for ATP-induced release of pro-IL-1beta.     

Mature interleukin-33 is produced by calpain-mediated cleavage in vivo

Interleukin (IL)-33 is a novel member of the IL-1 family. IL-33 is primarily synthesized as a 30-kDa precursor (pro-IL-33). Pro-IL-33 is cleaved by caspase-1 into an 18-kDa mature form (mature IL-33) in vitro. Recombinant mature IL-33 has been known to induce T-helper type-2 (Th2)-associated cytokines and inflammatory cytokines via its receptor, ST2L. However, processing of pro-IL-33 in vivo has not been clarified yet. Here, we report that calpain mediates pro-IL-33 processing in vivo. Pro-IL-33 was expressed by stimulating human epithelial cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Calcium ionophore induced pro-IL-33 cleavage and mature IL-33 production. This cleavage was inhibited by treatment with a calcium chelator and calpain inhibitors. Moreover, short interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of calpains suppressed pro-IL-33 cleavage. These results indicate that calpains play a critical role in pro-IL-33 processing in vivo.     

Maturation and release of interleukin-1beta by lipopolysaccharide-primed mouse Schwann cells require the stimulation of P2X7 receptors

The P2X7 receptor, mainly expressed by immune cells, is a ionotropic receptor activated by high concentration of extracellular ATP. It is involved in several processes relevant to immunomodulation and inflammation. Among these processes, the production of extracellular interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, plays a major role in the activation of the cytokine network. We have investigated the role of P2X7 receptor and of an associated calcium-activated potassium conductance (BK channels) in IL-1beta maturation and releasing processes by Schwann cells. Lipopolysaccharide-primed Schwann cells synthesized large amounts of pro-IL-1beta but did not release detectable amounts of pro or mature IL-1beta. ATP on its own had no effect on the synthesis of pro-IL-1beta, but a co-treatment with lipopolysaccharide and ATP led to the maturation and the release of IL-1beta by Schwann cells. Both mechanisms were blocked by oxidized ATP. IL-1beta-converting enzyme (ICE), the caspase responsible for the maturation of pro-IL-1beta in IL-1beta, was activated by P2X7 receptor stimulation. The specific inhibition of ICE by the caspase inhibitor Ac-Tyr-Val-Ala-Asp-aldehyde blocked the maturation of IL-1beta. In searching for a link between the P2X7 receptor and the activation of ICE, we found that enhancing potassium efflux from Schwann cells upregulated the production of IL-1beta, while strongly reducing potassium efflux led to opposite effects. Blocking BK channels actually modulated IL-1beta release. Taken together, these results show that P2X7 receptor stimulation and associated BK channels, through the activation of ICE, leads to the maturation and the release of IL-1beta by immune-challenged Schwann cells.