Deubiquitination and Activation of the NLRP3 Inflammasome by UCHL5 in HCV-Infected Cells

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection induces liver inflammation that can lead to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Inflammation is the outcome of the action of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, including interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha. Mature IL-1β production and secretion are facilitated by active inflammasome complexes, including the NACHT-LRR pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Our study shows that the NLRP3 inflammasome is activated in HCV-infected hepatocytes and that the activation is regulated by posttranslational modifications. NLRP3 is modified by lysine-63 ubiquitin chains in hepatocytes and is deubiquitinated during HCV infection. Inhibition of deubiquitinases (DUBs) with chemical inhibitors or blocking UCHL5 DUB expression with small interfering RNA (siRNA) abrogated NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and activation. Inhibition of inflammasome deubiquitination was correlated with a reduction in IL-1β maturation, decrease in HCV protein expression, and reduction in release of HCV from the cells. Together, this study suggests that HCV-induced activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome through posttranslational modification is crucial for the HCV life cycle and pathogenesis. IMPORTANCE HCV infection induces inflammation leading to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and cancer. The current study identifies the mechanisms leading to the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in hepatocytes, which is an important site of viral replication. Deubiquitination of NLRP3 by UCHL5 is required for inflammasome activation. Inhibition of deubiquitination blocks NLRP3 inflammasome activation and IL-1β maturation and also decreases HCV replication, suggesting the importance of the NLRP3 inflammasome in inflammation as well as other signaling pathways.