Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Viroporin 3a Activates the NLRP3 Inflammasome

Nod-like receptor family, pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) is involved in the early stages of the inflammatory responses by regulating the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and IL-18. We previously showed that influenza virus M2 or encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) 2B proteins stimulate IL-1β secretion following activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. However, the mechanism by which severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) activates the NLRP3 inflammasome remains unknown. Here, we provide direct evidence that SARS-CoV 3a protein activates the NLRP3 inflammasome in lipopolysaccharide-primed macrophages. SARS-CoV 3a was sufficient to cause the NLRP3 inflammasome…

• TS
  Takeda Science Foundation
• UM
  Uehara Memorial Foundation
• SM
  SENSHIN Medical Research Foundation
• JS
  Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

  Awards: 15H01254, 25713018