Tmem178 Negatively Regulates IL-1β Production Through Inhibition of the NLRP3 Inflammasome

Objective: Inflammasomes modulate the release of bioactive interleukin (IL)-1β. Excessive IL-1β levels are detected in patients with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) and cytokine storm syndrome (CSS) with mutated and unmutated inflammasome components, raising questions on the mechanisms of IL-1β regulation in these disorders. Methods: To investigate how the NLRP3 inflammasome is modulated in sJIA, we focused on Transmembrane protein 178 (Tmem178), a negative regulator of calcium levels in macrophages, and measured IL-1β and caspase-1 activation in wild-type (WT) and Tmem178^−/− macrophages after calcium chelators, silencing of Stim1, a component of store-operated calcium entry (SOCE), or by expressing a Tmem178 mutant lacking the Stromal Interaction Molecule 1 (Stim1) binding site. Mitochondrial function in both genotypes was assessed by measuring oxidative respiration, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS), and mitochondrial damage. CSS development was analyzed in Perforin^−/−/Tmem178^−/− mice infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) in which inflammasome or IL-1β signaling was pharmacologically inhibited. Human TMEM178 and IL1B transcripts were analyzed in data sets of whole blood and peripheral blood monocytes from healthy controls and patients with active sJIA. Results: TMEM178 levels are reduced in whole blood and monocytes from patients with sJIA while IL1B levels are increased. Accordingly, Tmem178^−/− macrophages produce elevated IL-1β compared with WT cells. The elevated intracellular calcium levels after SOCE activation in Tmem178^−/− macrophages induce mitochondrial damage, release mtROS, and ultimately promote NLRP3 inflammasome activation. In vivo, inhibition of inflammasome or IL-1β neutralization prolongs Tmem178^−/− mouse survival in LCMV-induced CSS. Conclusion: Down-regulation of TMEM178 levels may represent a marker of disease activity and help identify patients who could benefit from inflammasome targeting. (Figure presented.).