Journal Article

USP19 suppresses inflammation and promotes M2-like macrophage polarization by manipulating NLRP3 function via autophagy

Bates, Samuel, Wang, Zhi, Wang, Dan, Huang Junjiu, Cui, Jun, She Yuanchu, Wang, Liqiu, Guo Zhiyong, Cai Jing, Liang Puping, Xia Xiaojun, Wang, Xiaojuan, Liu, Tao, Liu Yukun

2021

Overview

Macrophage polarization to proinflammatory M1-like or anti-inflammatory M2-like cells is critical to mount a host defense or repair tissue. The exact molecular mechanisms controlling this process are still elusive. Here, we report that ubiquitin-specific protease 19 (USP19) acts as an anti-inflammatory switch that inhibits inflammatory responses and promotes M2-like macrophage polarization. USP19 inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation by increasing autophagy flux and decreasing the generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. In addition, USP19 inhibited the proteasomal degradation of inflammasome-independent NLRP3 by cleaving its polyubiquitin chains. USP19-stabilized NLRP3 promoted M2-like macrophage polarization by direct association with interferon regulatory factor 4, thereby preventing its p62-mediated selective autophagic degradation. Consistent with these observations, compared to wild-type mice, Usp19−/− mice had decreased M2-like macrophage polarization and increased interleukin-1β secretion, in response to alum and chitin injections. Thus, we have uncovered an unexpected mechanism by which USP19 switches the proinflammatory function of NLRP3 into an anti-inflammatory function, and suggest that USP19 is a potential therapeutic target for inflammatory interventions.

• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• Subject: Autophagy / Chitin / IL-1β / Inflammasomes / Inflammation / Interferon / Interferon regulatory factor / Interferon regulatory factor 4 / Macrophages / Mitochondria / Molecular modelling / Phagocytosis / Polarization / Proteasomes / Reactive oxygen species / Ubiquitin / Ubiquitin-specific proteinase