NLRX1 modulates the balance between NLRP3 inflammasome activation and NF-kB signaling during Fusobacterium nucleatum infection.

NOD-like receptors (NLRs) play an important role in regulation of host innate immunity, yet their role in periodontitis remains to be defined. NLRX1, a member of the NLR family that localizes to mitochondria, modulates mitochondrial ROS (mROS) generation. mROS has been shown to activate the NLRP3 inflammasome, yet the role of NLRX1 in NLRP3 inflammasome activation has not been examined. In this study, we revealed the mechanism by which NLRX1 positively regulates ATP-elicited NLRP3 inflammasome activation through mROS in gingival epithelial cells (GECs). Fluorescence microscopy showed that depletion of NLRX1 by shRNA attenuates ATP-induced mROS generation and redistribution of the NLRP3 inflammasome adaptor protein, ASC. Furthermore, depletion of NLRX1 inhibits Fusobacterium nucleatum infection-activated caspase-1, suggesting that it also inhibits the NLRP3 inflammasome. Therefore, we propose that NLRX1 may promote F. nucleatum -caused dysregulated pro-inflammatory responses in periodontitis. On the other hand, the mechanism by which F. nucleatum infection-induces IL-8 expression is still unclear. We showed that NLRX1 also acts as a negative regulator in NF-kB signaling to modulate IL-8 expression. Thus, NLRX1 stimulates detection of the pathogen F. nucleatum via the inflammasome, while dampening cytokine production. We expect that commensals should not activate the inflammasome, but NLRX1 should still decrease their ability to stimulate inflammation. We conclude that NLRX1 may act as a potential switch in regards to the virulence of F. nucleatum in healthy or diseased oral cavity.