Cathepsin B Is Required for NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation in Macrophages, Through NLRP3 Interaction

BMDMs (Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages), we first show that Cathepsin B is required for caspase-1 activation, IL-1β production and ASC speck formation, upon treatment with different types of NLRP3 activators, i.e., ATP, nigericin or crystals. Moreover, in these conditions, Cathepsin B interacts with NLRP3 at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) level. To conclude, different NLRP3 activators lead to Cathepsin B interaction with NLRP3 at the ER level and to subsequent caspase-1 activation.