Pnpt1 mediates NLRP3 inflammasome activation by MAVS and metabolic reprogramming in macrophages

Abstract Polyribonucleotide nucleotidyltransferase 1 (Pnpt1) plays critical roles in mitochondrial homeostasis by controlling mitochondrial RNA (mt-RNA) processing, trafficking and degradation. Pnpt1 deficiency results in mitochondrial dysfunction that triggers a Type I interferon response, suggesting a role in inflammation. However, the role of Pnpt1 in inflammasome activation remains largely unknown. In this study, we generated myeloid-specific Pnpt1-knockout mice, and demonstrated that Pnpt1 depletion enhanced interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) secretion in mouse sepsis models. Using cultured peritoneal and bone marrow-derived macrophages we demonstrated that Pnpt1 regulated NLRP3 inflammasome dependent IL-1β release in response to lipopolysaccharides (LPS), followed by nigericin, ATP or poly (I:C) treatment. Pnpt1 deficiency in macrophages increased glycolysis after LPS, and mt-reactive oxygen species (mt-ROS) after NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Pnpt1 activation of the inflammasome was dependent on both increased glycolysis and expression of the mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein (MAVS), but not NF-κB signaling. Collectively, these data strengthen the concept that Pnpt1 is an important mediator of inflammation as shown by activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in mouse sepsis and cultured macrophages.