Inflammasome components caspase-1 and adaptor protein apoptosis-associated speck-like proteins are important in resistance to Cryptosporidium parvum

Microbes and Infection
Nina N McNairJan R Mead

Abstract

Cryptosporidium spp. are opportunistic protozoan parasites that infect epithelial cells in the intestinal tract and cause a flu-like diarrheal illness. Innate immunity is key to limiting the expansion of parasitic stages early in infection. One mechanism in which it does this is through the generation of early cytokines, such as IL-18. The processing and secretion of mature IL-18 (and IL-1β) is mediated by caspase-1 which is activated within an inflammasome following the engagement of inflammasome-initiating sensors. We examined how the absence of caspase-1 and caspase-11, the adapter protein Asc, and other inflammasome components affects susceptibility to cryptosporidial infection by these and other key cytokines in the gut. We found that Casp-11-/-Casp-1-/- knockout mice have increased susceptibility to Cryptosporidium parvum infection as demonstrated by the 35-fold higher oocyst production (at peak infection) compared to wild-type mice. Susceptibility correlated with a lack of IL-18 in caspase-1 and caspase1/11 knockout mice, whereas IL-18 is significantly elevated in wildtype mice. IL-1β was not generated in any significant amount following infection nor was any increased susceptibility observed in IL-1β knockout mice. We a...Continue Reading

Citations

Dec 30, 2020·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Adam SaterialeBoris Striepen
Nov 24, 2019·Life Sciences·Ramesh Chandra Rai
Jun 12, 2021·Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology·Charles K Crawford, Amir Kol

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Apoptosis

Apoptosis is a specific process that leads to programmed cell death through the activation of an evolutionary conserved intracellular pathway leading to pathognomic cellular changes distinct from cellular necrosis

Apoptotic Caspases

Apoptotic caspases belong to the protease enzyme family and are known to play an essential role in inflammation and programmed cell death. Here is the latest research.