Caspase-1 [IL-1beta-converting
enzyme (
ICE)] processes substrate precursor molecules to yield the biologically active form of IL-1beta and
IL-18, both of which are considered to play important roles in the host defense by activation of both innate and adaptive immunity. We evaluated the immune response of
caspase-1(-/-) mice to Listeria monocytogenes (LM)
infection. LM eradication in the early phase of
infection was impaired in the mutant mice with a prominent decrease in
IL-18 and IFN-gamma production, but not in
IL-12.
Caspase-1(-/-) spleen cells including dendritic cells and NK cells produced less IFN-gamma in response to heat-killed LM than wild-type cells in vitro. IFN-gamma production and bactericidal activity in LM-infected
caspase-1(-/-) mice was reconstituted to normal levels by adding back
IL-18 at the initial phase of
infection, suggesting that the lack of this
cytokine is primarily responsible for the susceptibility of
caspase-1(-/-) mice against LM
infection. Moreover, IFN-gamma injection of
caspase-1(-/-) mice corrected the deficiency in pathogen clearance. In contrast, LM-specific acquired immunity in
caspase-1(-/-) mice was normal and they successfully cleared the pathogen following
secondary infection, in spite of a moderate skewing of
cytokine profile to T(h)2 when compared to wild-type mice. These data shed light on the importance of caspase-1-mediated
IL-18 processing in innate immunity against facultative intracellular pathogens.