Background: RIP3-dependent programmed necrosis is an alternative to apoptosis. Results: When caspase-8 is compromised, TRIF-dependent TLRs directly activate RIP3 kinase through RHIM-dependent interactions. Conclusion: TRIF mediates direct RHIM-dependent signaling, triggering necrosis via RIP3 and MLKL. Significance: Programmed necrosis eliminates cells following stimulation of either MyD88 or TRIF signaling pathways that converge on RIP3.

Summary Receptor interacting protein kinase 3 (RIP3 or RIPK3) has emerged as a central player in necroptosis and a potential target to control inflammatory disease. Here, three selective small molecule compounds are shown to inhibit RIP3 kinase-dependent necroptosis, although their therapeutic value is undermined by a surprising, concentration-dependent induction of apoptosis. These compounds interact with RIP3 to activate caspase 8 (Casp8) via RHIM-driven recruitment of RIP1 (RIPK1) to assemble a Casp8-FADD-cFLIP complex completely independent of pro-necrotic kinase activities and MLKL. RIP3 kinase-dead D161N mutant induces spontaneous apoptosis independent of compound; whereas, D161G, D143N, and K51A mutants only trigger apoptosis when compound is present. Accordingly, RIP3-K51A mutant mice (Rip3K51A/K51A) are viable and fertile, in stark contrast to the perinatal lethality of Rip3D161N/D161N mice. RIP3 therefore holds both necroptosis and apoptosis in balance through a Ripoptosome-like platform. This work highlights a common mechanism unveiling RHIM-driven apoptosis by therapeutic or genetic perturbation of RIP3.

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SHARPIN regulates immune signaling and contributes to full transcriptional activity and prevention of cell death in response to TNF in vitro. The inactivating mouse Sharpin cpdm mutation causes TNF-dependent multi-organ inflammation, characterized by dermatitis, liver inflammation, splenomegaly, and loss of Peyer's patches. TNF-dependent cell death has been proposed to cause the inflammatory phenotype and consistent with this we show Tnfr1, but not Tnfr2, deficiency suppresses the phenotype (and it does so more efficiently than Il1r1 loss). TNFR1-induced apoptosis can proceed through caspase-8 and BID, but reduction in or loss of these players generally did not suppress inflammation, although Casp8 heterozygosity significantly delayed dermatitis. Ripk3 or Mlkl deficiency partially ameliorated the multi-organ phenotype, and combined Ripk3 deletion and Casp8 heterozygosity almost completely suppressed it, even restoring Peyer's patches. Unexpectedly, Sharpin, Ripk3 and Casp8 triple deficiency caused perinatal lethality. These results provide unexpected insights into the developmental importance of SHARPIN.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.03464.001

Significance The protein kinase receptor interacting protein 1 controls signaling via death receptors, Toll-like receptors, and retinoic acid-inducible gene 1-like receptors, dictating inflammatory outcomes as broad as cytokine activation and cell death. RIP1 makes a vital contribution during development, evident from the fact that RIP1-deficient mice die soon after birth. Here, we show that a kinase-independent function of RIP1 dampens the consequences of innate immune cell death. During parturition, RIP1 prevents the lethal consequences of RIP3-dependent necroptosis as well as caspase 8 (Casp8)-dependent apoptosis. In contrast to the RIP1-deficient phenotype, mice lacking a combination of RIP1, RIP3, and Casp8 are born and mature into viable, fertile, and immunocompetent adults. These results demonstrate the important protective role of RIP1 against physiologic and microbial death cues encountered at birth.