Mitochondrial Electron Transport Chain is Necessary for NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation

Overview

Journal Nat Immunol

Date 2022 Apr 28

PMID 35484407

Authors

Leah K Billingham

Joshua S Stoolman

Karthik Vasan

Arianne E Rodriguez

Taylor A Poor

Marten Szibor

Howard T Jacobs

Colleen R Reczek

Aida Rashidi

Peng Zhang

Jason Miska

Navdeep S Chandel

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The NLRP3 inflammasome is linked to sterile and pathogen-dependent inflammation, and its dysregulation underlies many chronic diseases. Mitochondria have been implicated as regulators of the NLRP3 inflammasome through several mechanisms including generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS). Here, we report that mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) complex I, II, III and V inhibitors all prevent NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Ectopic expression of Saccharomyces cerevisiae NADH dehydrogenase (NDI1) or Ciona intestinalis alternative oxidase, which can complement the functional loss of mitochondrial complex I or III, respectively, without generation of ROS, rescued NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the absence of endogenous mitochondrial complex I or complex III function. Metabolomics revealed phosphocreatine (PCr), which can sustain ATP levels, as a common metabolite that is diminished by mitochondrial ETC inhibitors. PCr depletion decreased ATP levels and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Thus, the mitochondrial ETC sustains NLRP3 inflammasome activation through PCr-dependent generation of ATP, but via a ROS-independent mechanism.

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