GLUT1-dependent glycolysis regulates exacerbation of fibrosis via AIM2 inflammasome activation

PKM2-dependent glycolysis promotes NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasome activation

Sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock are the main cause of mortality in non-cardiac intensive care units. Immunometabolism has been linked to sepsis; however, the precise mechanism by which metabolic reprogramming regulates the inflammatory response is unclear. Here we show that aerobic glycolysis contributes to sepsis by modulating inflammasome activation in macrophages. PKM2-mediated glycol...

Microbial DNA regulates intestinal homeostasis via the AIM2 inflammasome

Absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) is a cytosolic DNA sensor which upon activation assembles a multiprotein complex called the inflammasome. Previous studies have shown that several inflammasome-forming pattern recognition receptors exhibit a protective function against inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer. However, the role of AIM2 in sensing intestinal microbial DNA and regulating inflam...

IKKα negatively regulates ASC-dependent inflammasome activation

The inflammasomes are multiprotein complexes that activate caspase-1 in response to infections and stress, resulting in the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Here we report that IκB kinase α (IKKα) is a critical negative regulator of apoptosis-associated specklike protein containing a C-terminal caspase-activation-andrecruitment (CARD) domain (ASC)-dependent inflammasomes. IKKα controls ...

Mitochondrial ROS potentiates indirect activation of the AIM2 inflammasome

Activation of the inflammasome is important for the detection and clearance of cytosolic pathogens. In contrast to avirulent Francisella novicida (Fn), infection with virulent Francisella tularensis ssp tularensis does not trigger activation of the host AIM2 inflammasome. Here we show that differential activation of AIM2 following Francisella infection is due to sensitivity of each isolate to r...

Activates the Inflammasome via Aim2 Cutting Edge: Cytosolic Bacterial DNA