title: Inflammasomes of the intestinal epithelium.
abstract: While the functional importance of inflammasomes in blood-derived cell types is well established, it remains poorly understood how inflammasomes in nonhematopoietic cells contribute to mucosal immunity. Recent studies have revealed functional roles of inflammasomes - particularly NAIP/NLRC4, NLRP6, and noncanonical caspase-4 (caspase-11) - within epithelial cells of the gut in mucosal immune defense, inflammation, and tumorigenesis. Here, we review and discuss these findings in the broader context of tissue compartment-specific mucosal immunity. We propose several models whereby activities of the intestinal epithelial inflammasomes converge on mechanisms to remove compromised epithelial cells, maintain host-microbiota mutualism, and communicate with immune cells of the underlying lamina propria.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland. Electronic address: msellin@micro.biol.ethz.ch.
authors.forename: Mikael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Sellin
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Intestinal Ecosystem, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan.
authors.forename: Kendle M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Maslowski
authors.affiliation: Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RE, UK.
authors.forename: Kevin J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Maloy
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland. Electronic address: hardt@micro.biol.ethz.ch.
authors.forename: Wolf-Dietrich
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Hardt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D058847:Inflammasomes / Q000276:immunology*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D058847:Inflammasomes
keywords: NLRP3; caspase-1; extrusion; innate immunity; intestinal epithelial cell (IEC); mucus