Human cytomegalovirus protein US18 promotes NLRP3 inflammasome activation
- Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2025 Aug 15:775:152110. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2025.152110.
- 1. College of Life Sciences, Liaoning University, Shenyang, China; Department of Infectious Diseases, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
- 2. Department of Infectious Diseases, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
- 3. College of Life Sciences, Liaoning University, Shenyang, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
- 4. Department of Infectious Diseases, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) Infection of monocytes results in inflammatory response by triggering the activation of inflammasomes and subsequent release of inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β and IL-18 and Pyroptosis. However, the mechanisms by which HCMV induces inflammatory response remain unclear. Here, we identified that the HCMV protein US18 promotes NLRP3 inflammasome activation, IL-1β release and Pyroptosis. US18 associates with the NLRP3 inflammasome components NEK7, NLRP3 and pro-IL-1β, and promotes the oligomerization and speck formation of NLRP3. Knockdown of US18 inhibits HCMV-induced activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, IL-1β release and Pyroptosis. Our findings suggest that HCMV US18 positively regulates activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and inflammatory response upon HCMV Infection.
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Cat. No.Product NameDescriptionTargetResearch Area
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target: Toll-like Receptor (TLR)
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target: NOD-like Receptor (NLR)Research Areas: Inflammation/Immunology
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