Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 23, 2026

Activation and Measurement of NLRP3 Inflammasome Activity Using IL-1β in Human Monocyte-derived Dendritic Cells
09:04

Activation and Measurement of NLRP3 Inflammasome Activity Using IL-1β in Human Monocyte-derived Dendritic Cells

Published on: May 22, 2014

21.4K

Effect of MUC1 length polymorphisms on the NLRP3 inflammasome response of human macrophages

Poshmaal Dhar1, Sohinee Sarkar2, Garrett Z Ng2

  • 1Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia; Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.

Human Immunology
|June 20, 2019
PubMed

Insights

The length of Mucin 1 (MUC1) affects inflammation. Long MUC1 variants in human macrophages increase IL-1β production by activating the NLRP3 inflammasome, suggesting a role in inflammatory diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Mucin 1 (MUC1) is a cell-surface protein found on epithelial and immune cells, crucial for pathogen defense.
  • MUC1 exhibits significant human polymorphism, primarily in its variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) region, leading to short or long MUC1 variants.
  • A known genetic association exists between MUC1 polymorphisms and inflammatory diseases, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of MUC1 VNTR polymorphisms on NLRP3 inflammasome activity in human macrophages.
  • To determine if MUC1 length influences immune responses, specifically IL-1β production.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of MUC1 VNTR polymorphisms in human macrophages.
  • Assessment of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and subsequent IL-1β production.
  • Correlation of MUC1 allele length with inflammatory cytokine levels.

Main Results:

  • Long MUC1 alleles in human macrophages were associated with heightened IL-1β production upon NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
  • This finding demonstrates a direct link between MUC1 VNTR length and inflammatory signaling in human immune cells.

Conclusions:

  • MUC1 VNTR length plays a significant role in modulating NLRP3 inflammasome activity and IL-1β production in human macrophages.
  • This study provides the first evidence for an immune-modulatory function of MUC1 VNTR polymorphisms in humans, potentially impacting inflammatory disease pathogenesis.

More Related Videos

Detection of Inflammasome Activation and Pyroptotic Cell Death in Murine Bone Marrow-derived Macrophages06:52

Detection of Inflammasome Activation and Pyroptotic Cell Death in Murine Bone Marrow-derived Macrophages

Published on: May 21, 2018

11.2K
Production and Characterization of Human Macrophages from Pluripotent Stem Cells08:05

Production and Characterization of Human Macrophages from Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: April 16, 2020

17.6K

Related Concept Videos

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms-SNPs01:05

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms-SNPs

A single nucleotide polymorphism or SNP is a single nucleotide variation at a specific genomic position in a large population. It is the most prevalent type of sequence variation found in the human genome. Point mutations that occur in more than 1% of the population qualify as SNPs. These are present once every 1000 nucleotides on an average in the human genome. Replacement of a purine with another purine (A/G) or a pyrimidine with another pyrimidine (C/T) is known as a transition. In contrast,...
18.0K
Factors Affecting Dissolution: Polymorphism, Amorphism and Pseudopolymorphism01:21

Factors Affecting Dissolution: Polymorphism, Amorphism and Pseudopolymorphism

Polymorphism refers to the existence of a drug substance in multiple crystalline forms, known as polymorphs. Recently, this term has been expanded to include solvates (forms containing a solvent), amorphous forms (non-crystalline forms), and desolvated solvates (forms from which the solvent has been removed).
Some polymorphic crystals possess lower aqueous solubility than their amorphous counterparts, leading to incomplete absorption. For instance, the oral suspension of Chloramphenicol, which...
684
Humoral Immune Responses01:36

Humoral Immune Responses

Overview
83.5K
Pharmaceutical Alternatives: Polymorphic Form-Related and Particle Size-Related Therapeutic Nonequivalence01:27

Pharmaceutical Alternatives: Polymorphic Form-Related and Particle Size-Related Therapeutic Nonequivalence

Changes in polymorphic forms can significantly influence the bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs. Although the FDA defines pharmaceutical equivalence based on having the same active ingredient, dosage form, and route of administration, it does not automatically disqualify products with different polymorphic forms. This means two products with different polymorphs can still be deemed pharmaceutically equivalent. However, polymorphic differences can affect properties like wettability,...
160
Responses to Gravity and Touch02:26

Responses to Gravity and Touch

Gravitropism: Plant Responses to Gravity
41.7K
Responses to Drought and Flooding02:41

Responses to Drought and Flooding

Water plays a significant role in the life cycle of plants. However, insufficient or excess of water can be detrimental and pose a serious threat to plants.
12.0K