Nature Communications (May 2021)

Perfluoroalkyl substance pollutants activate the innate immune system through the AIM2 inflammasome

  • Li-Qiu Wang,
  • Tao Liu,
  • Shuai Yang,
  • Lin Sun,
  • Zhi-Yao Zhao,
  • Li-Yue Li,
  • Yuan-Chu She,
  • Yan-Yan Zheng,
  • Xiao-Yan Ye,
  • Qing Bao,
  • Guang-Hui Dong,
  • Chun-Wei Li,
  • Jun Cui

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-23201-0
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 1
pp. 1 – 17

Abstract

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The double-stranded DNA receptor AIM2 is able to sense the environmental pollutant perfluorooctane sulfonate, a prototypical perfluoro-alkyl substrate. Activation of the AIM2 pathway leads to inflammation and tissue damage via IL-1β secretion and pyroptosis of affected innate immune cells.