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Macrophage migration inhibitory factor is required for NLRP3 inflammasome activation

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor is required for NLRP3 inflammasome activation Thumbnail


Abstract

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) exerts multiple effects on immune cells, as well as having functions outside the immune system. MIF can promote inflammation through the induction of other cytokines, including TNF, IL-6, and IL-1 family cytokines. Here, we show that inhibition of MIF regulates the release of IL-1a, IL-1ß, and IL-18, not by affecting transcription or translation of these cytokines, but via activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. MIF is required for the interaction between NLRP3 and the intermediate filament protein vimentin, which is critical for NLRP3 activation. Further, we demonstrate that MIF interacts with NLRP3, indicating a role for MIF in inflammasome activation independent of its role as a cytokine. These data advance our understanding of how MIF regulates inflammation and identify it as a factor critical for NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Acceptance Date May 10, 2018
Publication Date Jun 8, 2018
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Nature Communications
Print ISSN 2041-1723
DOI https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-04581-2
Publisher URL https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-04581-2#Abs1

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