Abstract

NLRP3 inflammasome activation is regulated by autophagy, a process tightly controlled by the ATG16L family proteins. However, the inside mechanisms remain elusive. Although the autophagy-related protein ATG16L1 has been well characterized, regulation and biological functions of its close homolog ATG16L2 still remain elusive. Here we report that ATG16L2 deficiency attenuates LPS-induced autophagy flux in macrophages through mediating ATG5-12-16L1 complex assembly. Importantly, NLRP3 inflammasome activation is elevated in ATG16L2-deficient macrophages, which also have defects in mitochondrial integrity and respiration. Finally, ATG16l2 knockout mice are more susceptible to DSS-induced intestinal damage, which can be ameliorated by inhibition of NLRP3. Collectively, our data demonstrate that ATG16L2 positively regulates autophagy and ATG16L2 could be a potential target for manipulating aberrant NLRP3 inflammasome activation induced inflammatory diseases.