Hepatitis E virus infection activates NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 inflammasome antagonizing interferon response but therapeutically targetable.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: HEV infection is the most common cause of liver inflammation, but the pathogenic mechanisms remain largely unclear. We aim to explore whether HEV infection activates inflammasomes, crosstalk with antiviral interferon response, and the potential of therapeutic targeting. APPROACH AND RESULTS: We measured IL-1ß secretion, the hallmark of inflammasome activation, in serum of HEV-infected patients and rabbits, and in cultured macrophage cell lines and primary monocyte-derived macrophages. We found that genotypes 3 and 4 HEV infection in rabbits elevated IL-1ß production. A profound increase of IL-1ß secretion was further observed in HEV-infected patients (1,733 ± 1,234 pg/mL; n = 70) compared to healthy persons (731 ± 701 pg/mL; n = 70). Given that macrophages are the drivers of inflammatory response, we found that inoculation with infectious HEV particles robustly triggered NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation in primary macrophages and macrophage cell lines. We further revealed that the ORF2 capsid protein and the formed integral viral particles are responsible for activating inflammasome response. We also identified NF-κB signaling activation as a key upstream event of HEV-induced NLRP3 inflammasome response. Interestingly, inflammasome activation antagonizes interferon response to facilitate viral replication in macrophages. Pharmacological inhibitors and clinically used steroids can effectively target inflammasome activation. Combining steroids with ribavirin simultaneously inhibits HEV and inflammasome response without cross-interference. CONCLUSIONS: HEV infection strongly activates NLRP3 inflammasome activation in macrophages, which regulates host innate defense and pathogenesis. Therapeutic targeting of NLRP3, in particular when combined with antiviral agents, represents a viable option for treating severe HEV infection.

Nedd8 targets ubiquitin ligase Smurf2 for neddylation and promote its degradation.

E3 ubiquitin ligases are pivotal effectors of the ubiquitin-proteasome system as they determine the substrate specificity and transfer ubiquitin to the substrate. HECT-type ubiquitin ligase Smad ubiquitination regulatory factor 2 (Smurf2) has been demonstrated functions as a tumor suppressor. However, the mechanisms underlying regulation of Smurf2 is still unclear. Here we show that ubiquitin-like protein Nedd8 targets the HECT-type ubiquitin ligase Smurf2 for neddylation, and promotes Smurf2 degradation. Neddylation of Smurf1 activates its ubiquitin ligase activity and Smurf2 exerts Nedd8 ligase activity. This study provided new clues of Smurf2 activation regulation.