ZBP1 governs the inflammasome-independent IL-1α and neutrophil inflammation that play a dual role in anti-influenza virus immunity

Influenza A virus (IAV) triggers the infected lung to produce IL-1 and recruit neutrophil. Unlike IL-1β, however, little is known about IL-1α in terms of its mechanism of induction, action and physiological relevance to the host immunity against IAV infection. In particular, whether Z-DNA binding protein 1 (ZBP1), a key molecule for IAV-induced cell death, is involved in the IL-1α induction, neutrophil infiltration, and the physiological outcome have not been elucidated. Here we show in murine model that the IAV-induced IL-1α is mediated solely by ZBP1, in an NLRP3-inflammasome-independent manner, and is required for the optimal IL-1β production followed by the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps. During IAV infection, ZBP1 displays a dual role in anti-IAV immune responses mediated by neutrophil, resulting in either protective or pathological outcome in vivo. Thus, ZBP1-mediated IL-1α production is the key initial step of IAV-infected NETs, owing the duality of the consequent lung inflammation.