NLRP1B and NLRP3 control the host response following colonization with the commensal protist Tritrichomonas musculis

Commensal intestinal protozoa, unlike their pathogenic relatives, are neglected members of the mammalian microbiome. These microbes have a significant impact on the host’s intestinal immune homeostasis, typically by elevating anti-microbial host defense. Tritrichomonas musculis ( T. mu ), a protozoan gut commensal, strengthens the intestinal host defense against enteric Salmonella infections through Asc - and Il1r1 -dependent Th1 and Th17 cell activation. However, the underlying inflammasomes mediating this effect remain unknown. Here, we report that colonization with T. mu results in an increase in luminal extracellular ATP, elevated levels of IL-1β, and increased numbers of IL-18 receptor-expressing Th1 and Th17 cells in the colon. Mice deficient in either Nlrp1b or Nlrp3 failed to display these protozoan-driven immune changes and lost resistance to enteric Salmonella infections even in the presence of T. mu . These findings demonstrate that T. mu -mediated host protection requires sensors of extra and intracellular ATP to confer resistance to enteric Salmonella infections. KEY POINTS ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. * T. mu : Tritrichomonas musculis ATP : adenosine 3’-triphosphate WT : wild-type TLR : Toll-like receptor NLR : Nod-like receptor