Potential role of NLRP3 inflammasome to combat pandemic 2009 (PH1N1) influenza virus infection in human lung a549 epithelial cells

The role of NOD-like receptors (NLR) involvement in viral sensing has not been widely investigated and is not well understood. There is paucity of information about the innate immunity and role of inflammasomes in the airway epithelium against influenza virus infection. This study demonstrates the physiological role of NLRP3 during influenza virus infection in-vitro. Three different influenza virus strains (H1N1, Influenza A and pandemic H1N1 virus) were used as infectious agent in A549 human lung epithelial cells and expression of NLRP3 at mRNA level and protein level as well as IL-1β and IL-18 levels in the cell culture supernatant were evaluated. The recognition of influenza virus RNA triggers activation of the NLRP3 inflammasomes, which in turn modulates the severity of influenza pneumonia and elevation of IL-1β and IL-18. Therefore it is suggested that NLRP3 inflammasomes appears to be an essential component responsible for elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines in host defence against infection through the sensing of viral RNA and would aid as a clue to make more effective vaccines and therapeutics against pH1N1.