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The MUC1 mucin specifically inhibits activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome

Genes & Immunity volume 17, pages 203–206 (2016)Cite this article

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Abstract

MUC1 is a cell membrane-associated mucin, expressed ubiquitously on the mucosal epithelia as well as by immune cells, that limits the inflammatory response to multiple pathogens. We have recently shown that MUC1 controls inflammation resulting from Helicobacter pylori infection by suppressing interleukin-1β (IL-1β) produced via the NLRP3 inflammasome. Here, we demonstrate that MUC1 also regulates IL-1β secretion induced by the NLRP3-activating bacteria Haemophilus influenzae but not bacteria that activate other inflammasomes. Using purified ligands, we further demonstrate that MUC1 regulation of NLRP3 is specific, as it has no effect on the NLRP1b, NLRC4 and AIM2 inflammasomes. This indicates a unique role for MUC1 in the regulation of NLRP3-activating bacterial infections.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Victorian Government’s Operational Infrastructure Support Program and by Project Grant #GNT1046254 from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia. PS was supported by a Senior Research Fellowship from the NHMRC and GZN was partly supported by a Melbourne Research Scholarship from The University of Melbourne.

Author contributions

PS obtained funding. GZN performed the experiments. Both authors designed and analysed experiments, prepared, revised and approved the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mucosal Immunology, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia

    G Z Ng & P Sutton

  2. Centre for Animal Biotechnology, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia

    G Z Ng & P Sutton

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  1. G Z Ng
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  2. P Sutton
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Correspondence to P Sutton.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Ng, G., Sutton, P. The MUC1 mucin specifically inhibits activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Genes Immun 17, 203–206 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/gene.2016.10

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