Tmem178 negatively regulates IL-1β production through inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome

Inflammasomes modulate the release of bioactive IL-1β. Excessive IL-1β levels are detected in patients with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) and cytokine storm syndrome (CSS) with mutated and unmutated inflammasome components, raising questions on the mechanisms of IL-1β regulation in these disorders.

To investigate how the NLRP3 inflammasome is modulated in sJIA, we focused on Tmem178, a negative regulator of calcium levels in macrophages, and measured IL-1β and caspase-1 activation in wild-type (WT) and Tmem178 macrophages following calcium chelators, silencing of Stim1, a component of store-operated calcium entry (SOCE), or by expressing a Tmem178 mutant lacking Stim1 binding site. Mitochondrial function in both genotypes was assessed by measuring oxidative respiration, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS), and mitochondrial damage. CSS development was analyzed in Perforin /Tmem178 mice infected with LCMV in which inflammasome or IL-1 signaling was pharmacologically inhibited. Human TMEM178 and IL-1B transcripts were analyzed in a dataset of peripheral blood monocytes from healthy controls and active sJIA patients.

TMEM178 levels are reduced in monocytes from sJIA patients while IL-1B show increased levels. Accordingly, Tmem178 macrophages produce elevated IL-1β compared to WT cells. The elevated intracellular calcium levels following SOCE activation in Tmem178 macrophages induce mitochondrial damage, release mtROS, and ultimately, promote NLRP3 inflammasome activation. In vivo , inhibition of inflammasome or IL-1 neutralization prolongs Tmem178 mouse survival to LCMV-induced CSS.

Downregulation of Tmem178 levels may represent a new biomarker to identify sJIA/CSS patients that could benefit from receiving drugs targeting inflammasome signaling.