LMP7 inhibits the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome through interaction with NLRP3.

The innate immune system recognizes pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) by coding pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). As a well-known inflammasome, NLRP3 plays an essential role in helping the host immune response and driving antiviral processes. Low molecular mass polypeptide (LMP7) is a critical component of the immunoproteasome that participates in host antiviral activity, as well as T cell function and development. This is the first study to report the direct interaction between LMP7 and NLRP3. Also, LMP7 was found to inhibit the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, which is of great significance in exploring the role of the immune proteasome in regulating the activation of NLRP3.