HIV-1 Induces the First Signal to Activate the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Monocyte-Derived Macrophages

Inflammasomes are multimolecular complexes that regulate caspase-1. They act as sensors for endogenous and exogenous signals, and mediate the processing of pro-IL-1β into its secreted, biologically active form. The NLRP3 inflammasome and IL-1β are particularly interesting because they are required for efficient control of viral infections. Indeed, HIV-1 induces expression of NLRP3 and IL-1β in healthy controls, but not in HIV-1-infected patients. Here we evaluate whether HIV-1 can induce activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome.