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Updated: Feb 1, 2026
Evaluation of Caspase Activation to Assess Innate Immune Cell Death
Published on: January 20, 2023
White spot syndrome virus infection activates Caspase 1-mediated cell death in crustacean
Geng Yang1, Jiajia Wang2, Tao Luo3
1College of Life Sciences and Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology of Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China; Institute of Bioengineering, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou 310013, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
In vertebrates, pyroptosis is an intense inflammatory form of programmed cell death. This death pathway is critical for controlling pathogenic infection. In invertebrates, however, due to the lack of adaptive immune response, it is still elusive whether Caspase 1-dependent cell death pathway exists. In this study, our data showed that Caspase 1-mediated cell death was activated by white spot syndrome virus to counteract virus infection. Caspase 1 had a higher expression in hemocytes and lymphoid-like organ in shrimp and WSSV infection was promoted upon the inhibition of Caspase 1 enzymatic activity. IL-1β-like protein was identified as the substrate of Caspase 1 and its interaction with Caspase 1 was validated ectopically and endogenously. Moreover, IL-1β like protein was released into extracellular contents under WSSV infection and Prophenoloxidase system was activated, resulting in the reduction of WSSV. Our data unraveled a previously unidentified mechanism through which Caspase 1-dependent cell death controlled virus infection in shrimp.
Insights
This study reveals that Caspase 1-dependent cell death combats white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in shrimp. Inhibiting Caspase 1 activity boosts WSSV infection, highlighting its antiviral role in invertebrates.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Invertebrate Pathology
Background:
- Pyroptosis, an inflammatory programmed cell death, is vital for vertebrate immunity against pathogens.
- The existence of Caspase 1-dependent cell death in invertebrates, lacking adaptive immunity, remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Caspase 1-mediated cell death in invertebrate antiviral defense.
- To elucidate the mechanism of Caspase 1 in shrimp against white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection.
Main Methods:
- Analyzing Caspase 1 expression in shrimp hemocytes and lymphoid-like organs post-WSSV infection.
- Evaluating WSSV infection levels upon inhibition of Caspase 1 enzymatic activity.
- Identifying and validating the substrate of Caspase 1 (IL-1β-like protein) and its interaction.
Main Results:
- Caspase 1 expression increased in shrimp tissues during WSSV infection.
- Inhibiting Caspase 1 activity enhanced WSSV proliferation.
- IL-1β-like protein, a Caspase 1 substrate, was released extracellularly, activating the Prophenoloxidase system and reducing WSSV load.
Conclusions:
- Caspase 1-dependent cell death is an innate immune mechanism in shrimp against viral infections.
- The Caspase 1-IL-1β-like protein pathway plays a crucial role in controlling WSSV in invertebrates.
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