IKKß is required for the formation of the NLRP3 inflammasome.

The rapid formation and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome is induced by co-stimulation with LPS and nigericin. It requires the LPS-stimulated activation of IKKß, which exerts its effects independently of de novo gene transcription, protein translation and other protein kinases activated by IKKß. IKKß is not required for the nigericin-induced dispersion of the trans-Golgi network (TGN), but to bring NLRP3 in proximity with TGN38. The nigericin-induced dispersion of the Golgi is enhanced by co-stimulation with LPS, and this enhancement is IKKß-dependent. Prolonged stimulation with LPS to increase the expression of NLRP3, followed by stimulation with nigericin, produced larger TGN38-positive puncta, and the ensuing activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome was also suppressed by IKKß inhibitors added prior to stimulation with nigericin. IKKß therefore has a key role in recruiting NLRP3 to the dispersed TGN, leading to the formation and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome.