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Caspase-8 is the molecular switch for apoptosis, necroptosis and pyroptosis

Author

Listed:
  • Melanie Fritsch

    (University of Cologne)

  • Saskia D. Günther

    (University of Cologne)

  • Robin Schwarzer

    (University of Cologne)

  • Marie-Christine Albert

    (University of Cologne)

  • Fabian Schorn

    (University of Cologne)

  • J. Paul Werthenbach

    (University of Cologne)

  • Lars M. Schiffmann

    (University of Cologne
    University of Cologne)

  • Neil Stair

    (University of Cologne
    University of Cologne)

  • Hannah Stocks

    (University of Cologne)

  • Jens M. Seeger

    (University of Cologne)

  • Mohamed Lamkanfi

    (Ghent University
    VIB Center for Inflammation Research)

  • Martin Krönke

    (University of Cologne)

  • Manolis Pasparakis

    (University of Cologne
    University of Cologne)

  • Hamid Kashkar

    (University of Cologne
    University of Cologne)

Abstract

Caspase-8 is the initiator caspase of extrinsic apoptosis1,2 and inhibits necroptosis mediated by RIPK3 and MLKL. Accordingly, caspase-8 deficiency in mice causes embryonic lethality3, which can be rescued by deletion of either Ripk3 or Mlkl4–6. Here we show that the expression of enzymatically inactive CASP8(C362S) causes embryonic lethality in mice by inducing necroptosis and pyroptosis. Similar to Casp8−/− mice3,7, Casp8C362S/C362S mouse embryos died after endothelial cell necroptosis leading to cardiovascular defects. MLKL deficiency rescued the cardiovascular phenotype but unexpectedly caused perinatal lethality in Casp8C362S/C362S mice, indicating that CASP8(C362S) causes necroptosis-independent death at later stages of embryonic development. Specific loss of the catalytic activity of caspase-8 in intestinal epithelial cells induced intestinal inflammation similar to intestinal epithelial cell-specific Casp8 knockout mice8. Inhibition of necroptosis by additional deletion of Mlkl severely aggravated intestinal inflammation and caused premature lethality in Mlkl knockout mice with specific loss of caspase-8 catalytic activity in intestinal epithelial cells. Expression of CASP8(C362S) triggered the formation of ASC specks, activation of caspase-1 and secretion of IL-1β. Both embryonic lethality and premature death were completely rescued in Casp8C362S/C362SMlkl−/−Asc−/− or Casp8C362S/C362SMlkl−/−Casp1−/− mice, indicating that the activation of the inflammasome promotes CASP8(C362S)-mediated tissue pathology when necroptosis is blocked. Therefore, caspase-8 represents the molecular switch that controls apoptosis, necroptosis and pyroptosis, and prevents tissue damage during embryonic development and adulthood.

Suggested Citation

  • Melanie Fritsch & Saskia D. Günther & Robin Schwarzer & Marie-Christine Albert & Fabian Schorn & J. Paul Werthenbach & Lars M. Schiffmann & Neil Stair & Hannah Stocks & Jens M. Seeger & Mohamed Lamkan, 2019. "Caspase-8 is the molecular switch for apoptosis, necroptosis and pyroptosis," Nature, Nature, vol. 575(7784), pages 683-687, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:575:y:2019:i:7784:d:10.1038_s41586-019-1770-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1770-6
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    Cited by:

    1. Jeremiah Bernier-Latmani & Cristina Mauri & Rachel Marcone & François Renevey & Stephan Durot & Liqun He & Michael Vanlandewijck & Catherine Maclachlan & Suzel Davanture & Nicola Zamboni & Graham W. K, 2022. "ADAMTS18+ villus tip telocytes maintain a polarized VEGFA signaling domain and fenestrations in nutrient-absorbing intestinal blood vessels," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-17, December.

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