The transcription factor GFI1 negatively regulates NLRP3 inflammasome activation in macrophages

FEBS Lett. 2014 Nov 28;588(23):4513-9. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2014.10.025.

Abstract

Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) secretion downstream of Toll-like receptor (TLR) activation is tightly controlled at the transcriptional and post-translational levels. NLRP3 inflammasome is involved in the maturation of pro-IL-1β, with NLRP3 expression identified as the limiting factor for inflammasome activation. Previously, we had demonstrated that the zinc-finger protein GFI1 inhibits pro-IL-1β transcription. Here, we show that GFI1 inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation and IL-1β secretion in macrophages. GFI1 suppressed Nlrp3 transcription via two mechanisms: (1) by binding to the Gli-responsive element 1 (GRE1) in the Nlrp3 promoter; and (2) by antagonizing the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) transcriptional activity. Thus, GFI1 negatively regulates TLR-mediated IL-1β production at both transcriptional and post-translational levels.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Motifs
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Inflammasomes / metabolism*
  • Interleukin-1beta / metabolism
  • Macrophages / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Toll-Like Receptors / metabolism
  • Transcription Factor RelA / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / chemistry
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Gfi1 protein, mouse
  • Inflammasomes
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • Nlrp3 protein, mouse
  • Toll-Like Receptors
  • Transcription Factor RelA
  • Transcription Factors