STING promotes NLRP3 localization in ER and facilitates NLRP3 deubiquitination to activate the inflammasome upon HSV-1 infection

• Published in: PLoS pathogens Vol. 16; no. 3; p. e1008335
• Main Authors: Wang, Wenbiao, Hu, Dingwen, Wu, Caifeng, Feng, Yuqian, Li, Aixin, Liu, Weiyong, Wang, Yingchong, Chen, Keli, Tian, Mingfu, Xiao, Feng, Zhang, Qi, Shereen, Muhammad Adnan, Chen, Weijie, Pan, Pan, Wan, Pin, Wu, Kailang, Wu, Jianguo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 18.03.2020; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Activation; Biological response modifiers; Biology and Life Sciences; Cell lines; Cells (Biology); Cytokines; Deoxyribonucleic acid; DNA; Endoplasmic reticulum; Genes; Health aspects; Herpes viruses; IL-1β; Immune response; Immune system; Infection; Infections; Inflammasomes; Inflammation; Innate immunity; Interferon; Laboratories; Life sciences; Localization; Medicine and Health Sciences; Pathogens; Plasmids; Proteins; Research and analysis methods; Stimulators; Virology; China
• ISSN: 1553-7374; 1553-7366; 1553-7374
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008335

One of the fundamental reactions of the innate immune responses to pathogen infection is the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, processed by the NLRP3 inflammasome. The stimulator of interferon genes (STING) has the essential roles in innate immune response against pathogen infections. Here we reveal a distinct mechanism by which STING regulates the NLRP3 inflammasome activation, IL-1β secretion, and inflammatory responses in human cell lines, mice primary cells, and mice. Interestingly, upon HSV-1 infection and cytosolic DNA stimulation, STING binds to NLRP3 and promotes the inflammasome activation through two approaches. First, STING recruits NLRP3 and facilitates NLRP3 localization in the endoplasmic reticulum, thereby facilitating the inflammasome formation. Second, STING interacts with NLRP3 and attenuates K48- and K63-linked polyubiquitination of NLRP3, thereby promoting the inflammasome activation. Collectively, we demonstrate that the cGAS-STING-NLRP3 signaling is essential for host defense against HSV-1 infection.