IMMUNOLOGY2026™ Conference Recordings For Attendees-IL-11-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation mediates pyroptotic cell death in human neurons

IL-11-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation mediates pyroptotic cell death in human neurons

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Video Summary

The speaker described research on multiple sclerosis showing that IL-11, a cytokine elevated in MS spinal fluid and blood, rises especially during relapses. Their work suggests IL-11 primes NLRP3 inflammasome activation, linking inflammation to neuronal loss. Using human induced pluripotent stem cell–derived neurons, they found IL-11 receptor, NLRP3, and caspase-1 are expressed in neurons, and IL-11 causes dose-dependent neuronal toxicity. This toxicity was reversed by the NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950. They also showed that MS spinal fluid is neurotoxic and that this effect can be reduced by anti-IL-11 treatment, MCC950, and the FDA-approved MS drug ozanimod. Earlier single-cell and mouse studies supported IL-11’s role in monocytes, T cells, and CNS inflammation. Overall, the study proposes IL-11-driven inflammasome activation as a mechanism connecting immune inflammation to neuronal death in MS and a possible therapeutic target.

Meta Tag

Date April 18, 2026 10:21 AM - 10:33 AM

Room 104AB

Session Immunity at CNS Barriers and Borders

Speaker Silva Markovic-Plese

Track Neuroimmunology (NEUR)

Year 2026

Keywords

multiple sclerosis

IL-11

NLRP3 inflammasome

neuronal toxicity

ozanimod

April 18, 2026 10:21 AM - 10:33 AM

104AB

Immunity at CNS Barriers and Borders

Silva Markovic-Plese

Neuroimmunology (NEUR)

2026