Viewing Inflammation and Immunoregulation Under the Calpain System Lens

The controlled pro-inflammatory immune response is critical for fighting against external and endogenous threats, such as microbes/pathogens, allergens, xenobiotics, various antigens, and dying host cells and their mediators (DNA, RNA, and nuclear proteins) released into the circulation and cytosol (PAMPs, MAMPs, and DAMPs). Several pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and their downstream adaptor molecules, expressed by innate and adaptive immune cells, are critical in generating the inflammatory immune response by recognizing PAMPs, MAMPs, and DAMPs. However, their dysregulation may predispose the host to develop inflammation-associated organ damage, neurodegeneration, autoimmunity, cancer, and even death due to the absence of the inflammation resolution phase. The cytosolic calcium (Ca2+) level regulates the survival, proliferation, and immunological functions of immune cells. Cysteine-rich proteases, specifically calpains, are Ca2+-dependent proteases that become activated during inflammatory conditions, playing a critical role in the inflammatory process and associated organ damage. Therefore, this article discusses the expression and function of calpains 1 and 2 (ubiquitous calpains) in various innate (epithelial, endothelial, dendritic, mast, and NK cells, as well as macrophages) and adaptive (T and B cells) immune cells, affecting inflammation and immune regulation. As inflammatory diseases are on the rise due to several factors, such as environment, lifestyle, and an aging population, we must not just investigate, but strive for a deeper understanding of the inflammation and immunoregulation under the calpain system (calpain 1 and 2 and their endogenous negative regulator calpastatin) lens, which is ubiquitous and senses cytosolic Ca2+ changes to impact immune response.