Cytosolic flagellin receptor NLRC4 protects mice against mucosal and systemic challenges

F. A. Carvalho, I. Nalbantoglu, J. D. Aitken, R. Uchiyama, Y. Su, G. H. Doho, M. Vijay-Kumar, A. T. Gewirtz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

112 Scopus citations

Abstract

Bacterial flagellin is a dominant innate immune activator of the intestine. Therefore, we examined the role of the intracellular flagellin receptor, NLRC4, in protecting the gut and/or driving inflammation. In accordance with NLRC4 acting through transcription-independent pathways, loss of NLRC4 did not reduce the rapid robust changes in intestinal gene expression induced by flagellin administration. Loss of NLRC4 did not alter basal intestinal homeostasis nor predispose mice to development of colitis upon administration of an anti-interleukin (IL)-10R monoclonal antibody. However, epithelial injury induced by dextran sulfate sodium in mice lacking NLRC4 resulted in a more severe disease, indicating a role for NLRC4 in protecting the gut. Moreover, loss of NLRC4 resulted in increased mortality in response to flagellate, but not aflagellate Salmonella infection. Thus, despite not being involved in rapid intestinal gene remodeling upon detection of flagellin, NLRC4-mediated inflammasome activation results in production of IL-1β and IL-18, two cytokines that protect mice from mucosal and systemic challenges.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)288-298
Number of pages11
JournalMucosal Immunology
Volume5
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2012

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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