New insights in caspase-11 functions in noncanonical inflammasome signalling

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Innate Immune Sensing of Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara (MVA) Is Mediated by TLR2-TLR6, MDA-5 and the NALP3 Inflammasome

Modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) is an attenuated double-stranded DNA poxvirus currently developed as a vaccine vector against HIV/AIDS. Profiling of the innate immune responses induced by MVA is essential for the design of vaccine vectors and for anticipating potential adverse interactions between naturally acquired and vaccine-induced immune responses. Here we report on innate immune sensing of MVA and cytokine responses in human THP-1 cells, primary human macrophages and mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). The innate immune responses elicited by MVA in human macrophages were characterized by a robust chemokine production and a fairly weak pro-inflammatory cytokine response. Analyses of the cytokine production profile of macrophages isolated from knockout mice deficient in Toll-like receptors (TLRs) or in the adapter molecules MyD88 and TRIF revealed a critical role for TLR2, TLR6 and MyD88 in the production of IFNβ-independent chemokines. MVA induced a marked up-regulation of the expression of RIG-I like receptors (RLR) and the IPS-1 adapter (also known as Cardif, MAVS or VISA). Reduced expression of RIG-I, MDA-5 and IPS-1 by shRNAs indicated that sensing of MVA by RLR and production of IFNβ and IFNβ-dependent chemokines was controlled by the MDA-5 and IPS-1 pathway in the macrophage. Crosstalk between TLR2-MyD88 and the NALP3 inflammasome was essential for expression and processing of IL-1β. Transcription of the Il1b gene was markedly impaired in TLR2−/− and MyD88−/− BMDM, whereas mature and secreted IL-1β was massively reduced in NALP3−/− BMDMs or in human THP-1 macrophages with reduced expression of NALP3, ASC or caspase-1 by shRNAs. Innate immune sensing of MVA and production of chemokines, IFNβ and IL-1β by macrophages is mediated by the TLR2-TLR6-MyD88, MDA-5-IPS-1 and NALP3 inflammasome pathways. Delineation of the host response induced by MVA is critical for improving our understanding of poxvirus antiviral escape mechanisms and for designing new MVA vaccine vectors with improved immunogenicity

The multifaceted roles of inflammasome proteins in cancer

International audiencePURPOSE OF REVIEW: Inflammasomes are major actors of the innate immune system, through their regulation of inflammatory caspases and maturation of IL-1beta and IL-18. These multiprotein complexes have been shown to play major roles in inflammatory and metabolic diseases and have more recently been implicated in tumor development and dissemination. In this review, we address these recent findings, focusing particularly on colorectal cancer (CRC) initiation and tumor dissemination. RECENT FINDINGS: Based mostly on loss-of-function experiments in mouse models, paradoxical results were obtained as both protumoral and antitumoral activities were reported. Moreover, several studies report major inflammasome-independent functions for some of these innate receptor proteins such as absent in melanoma 2, nod-like receptor family pyrin containing 3 (NLRP3) or nod-like receptor family CARD containing 4 (NLRC4), functions exerted in epithelial cells as well as in immune cells. SUMMARY: The current review summarizes recent findings on the implication of inflammasomes and of absent in melanoma 2, NLRC4 and NLRP3 inflammasome-independent functions in cancer development and dissemination. Although contradictory in certain aspects, these studies highlight a lack of understanding of their mechanistic functions and regulations in cancer and the need for further investigation

Rôle de la poly(ADP-ribose) polymérase-1 et de son clivage dans la mort cellulaire et l'inflammation

La poly(ADP-ribose) polymérase-1 (PARP-1) est une enzyme nucléaire impliquée dans de nombreux processus cellulaires tels que la réparation de l'ADN, la transcription ainsi que la mort cellulaire. Lorsque les cellules entrent en apoptose, PARP-1 est toujours clivée par les caspases. Afin de comprendre quel est le rôle du clivage de PARP-1 in vivo, nous avons généré un modèle murin (souris PARP-1 Knock-In) dans lequel le site de clivage de PARP-1 par les caspases a été inactivé. Les souris PARP-1 Knock-In sont résistantes au choc endotoxique et aux pathologies causées par l'ischémie-reperfusion du rein et de l'intestin, du fait d'une réponse inflammatoire atténuée. La faible production des médiateurs pro-inflammatoires est due à une diminution de l'activité transcriptionnelle du facteur NF-kB en présence de la protéine PARP-1 résistante au clivage. Ce travail de thèse, basé sur un modèle unique de souris génétiquement modifiées, apporte des éléments nouveaux sur la régulation de la réponse inflammatoire par PARP-1LYON1-BU.Sciences (692662101) / SudocSudocFranceF

In Vitro and In Vivo Multispectral Photoacoustic Imaging for the Evaluation of Chromophore Concentration

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Role of EMT in the DNA damage response, double-strand break repair pathway choice and its implications in cancer treatment

International audienceNumerous epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) characteristics have now been demonstrated to participate in tumor development. Indeed, EMT is involved in invasion, acquisition of stem cell properties, and therapy-associated resistance of cancer cells. Together, these mechanisms offer advantages in adapting to changes in the tumor microenvironment. However, recent findings have shown that EMT-associated transcription factors (EMT-TFs) may also be involved in DNA repair. A better understanding of the coordination between the DNA repair pathways and the role played by some EMT-TFs in the DNA damage response (DDR) should pave the way for new treatments targeting tumor-specific molecular vulnerabilities, which result in selective destruction of cancer cells. Here we review recent advances, providing novel insights into the role of EMT in the DDR and repair pathways, with a particular focus on the influence of EMT on cellular sensitivity to damage, as well as the implications of these relationships for improving the efficacy of cancer treatments

Inflammasome Deletion Promotes Anti-tumor NK Cell Function in an IL-1/IL-18 Independent Way in Murine Invasive Breast Cancer

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Optogenetically controlled inflammasome activation demonstrates two phases of cell swelling during pyroptosis

International audienceInflammasomes are multiprotein platforms that control caspase-1 activation, which process the inactive precursor forms of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18, leading to an inflammatory type of programmed cell death called pyroptosis. Studying inflammasome-driven processes, such as pyroptosis-induced cell swelling, under controlled conditions remains challenging because the signals that activate pyroptosis also stimulate other signaling pathways. We designed an optogenetic approach using a photo-oligomerizable inflammasome core adapter protein, apoptosis-associated speck–like containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC), to temporally and quantitatively manipulate inflammasome activation. We demonstrated that inducing the light-sensitive oligomerization of ASC was sufficient to recapitulate the classical features of inflammasomes within minutes. This system showed that there were two phases of cell swelling during pyroptosis. This approach offers avenues for biophysical investigations into the intricate nature of cellular volume control and plasma membrane rupture during cell death

Depletion of the 110-Kilodalton Isoform of Poly(ADP-Ribose) Glycohydrolase Increases Sensitivity to Genotoxic and Endotoxic Stress in Mice

Poly(ADP-ribosylation) is rapidly stimulated in cells following DNA damage. This posttranslational modification is regulated by the synthesizing enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1) and the degrading enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG). Although the role of PARP-1 in response to DNA damage has been studied extensively, the function of PARG and the impact of poly(ADP-ribose) homeostasis in various cellular processes are largely unknown. Here we show that by gene targeting in embryonic stem cells and mice, we specifically deleted the 110-kDa PARG protein (PARG(110)) normally found in the nucleus and that depletion of PARG(110) severely compromised the automodification of PARP-1 in vivo. PARG(110)-deficient mice were viable and fertile, but these mice were hypersensitive to alkylating agents and ionizing radiation. In addition, these mice were susceptible to streptozotocin-induced diabetes and endotoxic shock. These data indicate that PARG(110) plays an important role in DNA damage responses and in pathological processes