Integrated Genetic and Cellular Analysis Reveals NLRP1 Activation in CD4+ T Lymphocytes During Chronic HIV Infection

Background Most of the investigations related to inflammasome activation during HIV infection have focused on the receptor NLRP3 and innate immune cells such as monocytes/macrophages. However, during the past years, inflammasome activation has also been explored in lymphocytes, and novel sensors, other than the NLRP3, have been shown to play a role in the biology of these cells. Here, we hypothesized that NLRP1 may be involved in CD4+ T cell dysregulation in people living with HIV (PLWH), therefore contributing to chronic inflammation and to the pathogenesis of non-HIV-associated diseases.