Silencing ANGPT2 alleviates ulcerative colitis by regulating autophagy-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome inactivation via the mTOR signaling pathway

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a difficult intestinal disease characterized by inflammation, and its mechanism is complex and diverse. Angiopoietin-like protein 2 (ANGPT2) plays an important regulatory role in inflammatory diseases. However, the role of ANGPT2 in UC has not been reported so far. After exploring the expression level of ANGPT2 in serum of UC patients, the reaction mechanism of ANGPT2 was investigated in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced UC mice. After ANGPT2 expression was suppressed, the clinical symptoms and pathological changes of UC mice were detected. Colonic infiltration, oxidative stress, and colonic mucosal barrier in UC mice were evaluated utilizing immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and related kits. Finally, western blot was applied for the estimation of mTOR signaling pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome-related proteins. ANGPT2 silencing improved clinical symptoms and pathological changes, alleviated colonic inflammatory infiltration and oxidative stress, and maintained the colonic mucosal barrier in DSS-induced UC mice. The regulatory effect of ANGPT2 on UC disease might occur by regulating the mTOR signaling pathway and thus affecting autophagy-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome inactivation. ANGPT2 silencing alleviated UC by regulating autophagy-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome inactivation via the mTOR signaling pathway.

25-hydroxycholesterol aggravates oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation-induced pyroptosis through promoting activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in H9C2 cardiomyocytes

25-hydroxycholesterol (25-HC) plays a role in the regulation of cell survival and immunity. However, the effect of 25-HC on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury remains unknown. Our present study aimed to investigate whether 25-HC aggravated MI/R injury through NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis. The overlapping differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in MI/R were identified from the GSE775, GSE45818, GSE58486, and GSE46395 datasets in Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were conducted using the database of Annotation, Visualization and Integration Discovery (DAVID). The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of the overlapping DEGs was established using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) database. These bioinformatics analyses indicated that cholesterol 25-hydroxylase (CH25H) was one of the crucial genes in MI/R injury. The oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) cell model was established to simulate MI/R injury. Western blot and RT-qPCR analysis demonstrated that CH25H was significantly upregulated in OGD/R-stimulated H9C2 cardiomyocytes. Moreover, knockdown of CH25H inhibited the OGD/R-induced pyroptosis and nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation, as demonstrated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK8), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), RT-qPCR, and western blotting assays. Conversely, 25-HC, which is synthesized by CH25H, promoted activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in OGD/R-stimulated H9C2 cardiomyocytes. In addition, the NLRP3 inhibitor BAY11-7082 attenuated 25-HC-induced H9C2 cell injury and pyroptosis under OGD/R condition. In conclusion, 25-HC could aggravate OGD/R-induced pyroptosis through promoting activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in H9C2 cells.

Research progress of anti-gout small molecules targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome / 药学学报

Currently, clinically used drugs for the treatment of gout inflammation, such as colchicine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and glucocorticoids, can only relieve the pain of joint inflammation and have severe hepatorenal toxicity and multiple organ adverse reactions. The NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a key complex that induces the onset of gout inflammation and has become a crucial target in the development of anti-gout drugs. This article reviews the research progress of anti-gout small molecules targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome and their bioactivity evaluation methods in the past five years, in order to provide information for the development of specific drugs for the treatment of gout inflammation.

Dimethyl fumarate inhibits NLRP3/AIM2 inflammasomes to prevent spleen radiation injury ZHANG / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the protective effect of dimethyl fumarate on spleen injury induced by gamma radiation in mice and the related mechanism. Methods C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the blank control group, radiation model group and DMF administration group, which were administered once at 12 h before irradiation and once at 0. 5 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h after irradiation. The 30-day survival rate, body weight and pathological injury of spleen were measured after a one-time total body irradiation of Co 7 rays (8 Gy). TUNEL staining was used to detect apoptosis of spleen cells. Enzyme-linked immunoassay ( ELISA) was applied to detect the contents of TNF-a, IL-1 p, IL-6, IL-18, NLRP3 and AIM2 in spleen. Western blot test and immunofluorescence staining test was employed to verify the changes of NLRP3 and AIM2 contents in spleen tissue after irradiation. Results DMF could obviously improve the survival rate of irradiated mice, improve the weight loss of irradiated mice, re-duce the pathological injury of spleen, and inhibit the apoptosis of spleen cells after irradiation. ELISA results showed that DMF could significantly inhibit the increase of spleen inflammatory cytokines TNF-a, IL-lp, IL-6, IL-18 and inflammasome components NL-RP3 and AIM2 induced by irradiation. Western blot and tissue immunofluorescence staining also confirmed that DMF could inhibit the increase of NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasome protein levels caused by irradiation. Meanwhile, NLRP3 agonist and AIM2 agonist could antagonize the radiation protection effect of DMF on spleen cells. Conclusion DMF can ameliorate spleen injury of Co 7-ray injured mice, and its mechanism is closely related to NLRP3/AIM2 inflamma-somes, which can be used as a potential protective drug for radiation injury.

Konjac Mannan Oligosaccharides enhanced intestinal barrier function to improve alcoholic nervous injury / 中国药理学通报

Aim Excessive cerebral inflammation caused by chronic alcohol intake is an important risk factor for central nervous system injury. The purpose of this study was to explore the protective effect of konjac mannan oligosaccharide (KMOS) on central nervous system inflammation in alcohol-fed mice and its mechanism. Methods The chronic alcohol fed model of C57BL/6J mice was established using Gao-binge method. And the different doses of KMOS were gavaged every day for 6 weeks. The neuronal damage and microglia activation were evaluated in cerebral cortex and hippocampus. The damage of colon tissue was assessed and serum LPS concentrations were measured. In vitro, Caco-2 cells were stimulated with LPS to establish intestinal mucosal injury model. Results Chronic alcohol intake can cause brain neuron damage in mice, and different doses of KMOS effectively reduced the activation state of microglia, decreased the expression of inflammatory factors caused by the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and alleviated neuronal damage in the brain tissue of alcohol-fed mice. The results of colon tissue analysis showed that the use of KMOS effectively reduced the concentration of endotoxin LPS in serum of alcohol-fed mice, alleviated the pathological injury and inflammatory response of colon tissue, and enhanced the expression of Occludin in intestinal tissue. In vitro experiments also showed that KMOS significantly inhibited the inflammatory reaction of Caco-2 cells exposed to alcohol and increased the expression of Occludin protein. Conclusions KMOS treatment effectively inhibited intestinal inflammation caused by alcohol intake, repaired intestinal barrier to prevent the entry of intestinal LPS into brain tissue, decreased the activation of microglia, and then improved brain neuron damage. KMOS had the potential to prevent alcoholic nerve injury.

Advances in relationship between pyroptosis and pulmonary arterial hypertension and therapeutic drugs / 中国药理学通报

Pyroptosis is the programmed death of cells accompanied by an inflammatory response and is widely involved in the development of a variety of diseases, such as infectious diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegeneration. It has been shown that cellular scorching is involved in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension ( PAH) in cardiovascular diseases. Patients with PAH have perivascular inflammatory infiltrates in lungs, pulmonary vasculopathy exists in an extremely inflam-matory microenvironment, and pro-inflammatory factors in cellular scorching drive pulmonary vascular remodelling in PAH patients. This article reviews the role of cellular scorch in the pathogenesis of PAH and the related research on drugs for the treatment of PAH, with the aim of providing new ideas for clinical treatment of PAH.

Berberine interferes with RSV infection of HEp-2 cells by inducing mitophagy autophagy / 中国药理学通报

Aim To explore the effect of berberine (B E) on RSV infected HEp-2 cells and the related mechanism. Methods HEp-2 cells were infected with RSV and treated with BE. Cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 assay. Protein expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, PINK1, Parkin, Beclinl, p62, LC3 I,LC3 II,and BNIP3 in HEp-2 cells were detected by Western blot. The secretion level of IL-1 p in HEp-2 cells was measured using ELISA. Apoptosis rate and mitochondrial membrane potential of HEp-2 cells were examined by flow cytometry. Mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) in HEp-2 cells was detected through MitoSOX staining. Colocalization of mitochondria and autophagosomes in HEp-2 cells was investigated using immunofluorescence staining. Cyclosporin A was used for validation experiments. Results BE could significantly improve the activity of RSV-infected HEp-2 cells,reduce the apoptosis rate (P < 0. 05), and decrease the activation level of NLRP3 inflammasomes and IL-lp level (P <0. 05); BE improved mitochondrial function by increasing mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP levels,and reduced mtROS. BE significantly promoted the colocalization of mitochondria-autophagosome in RSV infected cells, inducing PINK1/ Parkin and BNIP3 to mediate mitochondrial autophagy; cyclosporine A aggravated RSV infection. Conclusions BE has protective effects on HEp-2 cells infected by RSV. The mechanism may be related to the inhibitory effect of BE on the production of mtROS and the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes by inducing PINK1/ Parkin and BNIP3-mediated mitochondrial autophagy.

Research progress of NLRP3 inflammasome in the treatment of uveitis / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

The NLRP3 inflammasome is a cellular multimeric protein complex that plays a crucial role in inflammation and immune responses. It consists of three main components: Nod-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing(ASC)and cysteine protease 1(caspase-1). Uveitis is a broad term encompassing a range of inflammatory diseases that primarily affect the iris, ciliary body, vitreous, retina and choroid. It is considered a major cause of blindness globally. Numerous studies have demonstrated the involvement of NLRP3 inflammasome in the onset and progression of uveitis, indicating its potential as a significant therapeutic target for uveitis in the future. This article provides an overview of the structure, biological functions and activation pathways of the NLRP3 inflammasome, as well as the current research progress on its association with different types of uveitis. Additionally, it discusses the application potential of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the treatment of uveitis.

Scutellariae Radix-Coptidis Rhizoma Treats Atherosclerosis via NLRP3 Inflammasome-mediated Pyroptosis of Macrophages / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of Scutellariae Radix-Coptidis Rhizoma （SRCR） on atherosclerosis （AS） in mice and the effect of SRCR on macrophage pyroptosis in plaques via NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain-associated protein 3 （NLRP3） inflammasomes. MethodApoE-/- mice were fed with a high-fat diet for the modeling of AS and randomized into model， atorvastatin （5 mg·kg-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （1.95， 3.9， 7.8 g·kg-1， respectively） SRCR groups. Normal C57BL/6J mice were selected as the control group. After 8 weeks of administration， hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the pathological status of the aortic plaque. The lipid accumulation in aortic plaque was observed by oil red O staining. The serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） in mice were measured. Immunofluorescence double staining was employed to detect the co-localized expression of EGF-like module-containing mucin-like hormone receptor-like 1 （EMR1）/NLRP3 and EMR1/gasdermin D （GSDMD）. The serum levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and interleukin-18 （IL-18） were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The protein levels of NLRP3， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein （ASC）， Caspase-1， cleaved Caspase-1， GSDMD， N-terminus of GSDMD （GSDMD-NT）， pro-IL-1β， IL-1β， and IL-18 were determined by Western blot， and the mRNA levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， GSDMD， IL-1β， and IL-18 were determined by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultCompared with the control group， the model group showed obvious plaques， elevated serum levels of TG， TC， LDL-C， IL-1β， and IL-18 （P<0.01）， lowered serum level of HDL-C （P<0.01）， and up-regulated expression of NLRP3 inflammasomes and molecules related to pyroptosis in the aortic plaques （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， SRCR， especially at the medium and high doses， alleviated the plaque pathology， reduced the lipid content in plaques （P<0.05， P<0.01）， recovered the serum lipid levels （P<0.05）， reduced the macrophage recruitment （P<0.01）， activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes， and pyroptosis in aortic root plaques （P<0.05）， lowered the serum IL-1β and IL-18 levels （P<0.01）， and down-regulated the protein levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， cleaved Caspase-1， GSDMD， GSDMD-NT， pro-IL-1β， IL-1β， and IL-18 （P<0.05） and the mRNA levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， GSDMD， IL-1β， and IL-18 in the aortic tissue （P<0.05）. ConclusionSRCR exerts a therapeutic effect on high-fat diet-induced AS in mice by inhibiting the activation NLRP3 inflammasomes and reducing the pyroptosis of macrophages in plaques.

Role of NLRP3 Inflammasome in IgA Nephropathy and Chinese Medicine Intervention： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

IgA nephropathy is recognized as the most common primary glomerular disease， with up to 20%-40% of patients developing end-stage kidney disease within 20 years of onset. The deposition of IgA1-containing immune complexes targeting glycosylation defects in the mesangial region and the subsequent inflammation caused by T lymphocyte activation are considered as the main causes of IgA nephropathy， and innate immunity is also involved in the pathogenesis. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain （NOD）-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） is a newly discovered pattern recognition receptor expressed in renal intrinsic cells such as renal tubular epithelial cells， mesangial cells， and podocytes. Activated by external stimuli， NLRP3 can form NLRP3 inflammasomes with apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain （ASC）. The NLRP3 inflammasome can activate cysteine aspartate-specific protease-1 （Caspase-1）， causing the maturation and release of interleukin-18 （IL-18） and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） involved in inflammation. Increasing evidence has suggested that NLRP3 inflammasomes are involved in the pathogenesis and progression of IgA nephropathy and associated with the damage of renal intrinsic cells such as podocytes， mesangial cells， endothelial cells， and renal tubular epithelial cells. Chinese medicine can regulate inflammatory cytokines and their signaling pathways by acting on NLRP3 inflammasomes and related molecules， exerting therapeutic effects on IgA nephropathy. This article introduces the role of NLRP3 inflammasomes in IgA nephropathy and reviews the clinical and experimental research progress of Chinese medicine intervention in IgA nephropathy via NLRP3 inflammasomes， aiming to provide a reference for further research and application of Chinese medicine intervention in the NLRP3 inflammasome as a new therapeutic target.

Relationship between hyperuricemia, HSP70 and NLRP3 inflammasome in arterial hypertension / La relación hiperuricemia-HSP70-NLRP3 inflamosoma en la hipertensión arterial

Abstract Arterial hypertension is the most important cardiovascular risk factor in chronic non-communicable diseases and is estimated to be responsible for 10.4 million deaths annually. The global prevalence of hypertension is 30% and the majority of people with hypertension do not have a clear identifiable cause and are considered to have primary hypertension. Experimental and clinical investigations from several research groups, including ours, have established that inflammation and autoimmune reactivity play a role in the sodium retention and hemodynamic responses that drive primary hypertension. Hyperuricemia and heat stress proteins (HSP), particularly HSP70, are both associated with the activation of innate immunity that plays a role in the development of inflammatory reactivity in the hypertensive patient. Clinical studies have shown an association between the expression of HSP70 and anti-HSP70 antibodies and primary hypertension. This brief review aims to examine the interrelation between hyperuricemia and extracellular overexpression of HSP70 in the activation of the inflammasome that may have a central role in the pathophysiology of primary hypertension.

Resumen La hipertensión arterial es el factor de riesgo cardiovascular más importante de las enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles y se estima que es responsable de 10.4 millones de muertes al año. La prevalencia mundial de la hipertensión es del 30%; la mayoría de las personas con hipertensión no tienen una causa claramente identificable y se considera que tienen hipertensión primaria. Las investigaciones experimentales y clínicas de varios grupos de investigación, incluido el nuestro, han establecido que la inflamación y la reactividad autoinmune desempeñan un papel en la retención de sodio y las respuestas hemodinámicas que provocan la hipertensión primaria. La hiperuricemia y las proteínas del estrés por calor (HSP), particularmente HSP70, están asociadas con la activación de la inmunidad innata que juega un papel en el desarrollo de la reactividad inflamatoria en pacientes hipertensos. Estudios clínicos han demostrado asociación entre la expresión de HSP70 y anticuerpos anti-HSP70 y la hipertensión arterial primaria Esta breve revisión tiene como objetivo examinar la interrelación entre la hiperuricemia y la sobreexpresión extracelular de HSP70 en la activación del inflamasoma, así como su probable papel central en la fisiopatología de la hipertensión primaria.

Trans-palmitoleic acid does not modify the inflammasome expression in a rodent model of diet-induced obesity / El ácido trans-palmitoléico no modifica la expresión del inflamasoma en un modelo murino de obesidad inducida por dieta

Abstract Background: Metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) coincide with an increased expression of pro-inflammatory factors. The NLRP3 inflammasome is a complex that activates the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β. (NOD-like receptor protein 3). Some nutrients, such as fatty acids, influence inflammatory processes. For example, in clinical studies, higher trans-palmitoyl acid (TP) concentrations coincide with lower adiposity and lower risk of developing T2D. This study aims to evaluate the effect of TP on NLRP3 expression in a rodent model of diet-induced obesity (DIO). Methods: C57BL/6J mice were fed ad libitum with a control or a high-fat diet (HFD), added with or without TP (3 g/kg diet), for 11 weeks. IL-1β was quantified in serum, and NLRP3-related gene expression was explored in epididymal adipose tissue. Results: Despite increased weight gain in both high-fat groups, the high-fat TP group gained less weight than the high-fat group. In addition, NLRP3 and caspase-1 expression was higher in the HFD groups, but no differences were observed between the HFD and the HFD TP groups. Serum IL-1β levels were not different among groups. Conclusions: Diet supplementation with TP prevents weight gain and has a neutral influence over NLRP3 expression and IL-1β concentration in a DIO mice model.

Resumen Introducción: Las alteraciones metabólicas como la obesidad y diabetes tipo 2 (DT2) coinciden con la expresión aumentada de factores proinflamatorios. Un complejo que induce la activación de la citocina proinflamatoria IL-1β es el inflamasoma NLRP3 (NOD-like receptor protein 3). Algunos nutrimentos, como los ácidos grasos, influencian los procesos inflamatorios. Por ejemplo, en estudios clínicos, mayores concentraciones del ácido trans-palmitoléico (TP) coinciden con una menor adiposidad y un menor riesgo de desarrollar DT2. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto del TP sobre la expresión del inflamasoma NLRP3 en un modelo de obesidad inducida por dieta (OID) en roedores. Métodos: Se alimentaron ratones C57BL/6J ad libitum con una dieta control o alta en lípidos (AL), adicionada o no con TP (3 g/kg dieta), durante 11 semanas. Se cuantificó la concentración de IL-1β en elsuero de los animales, y en el tejido adiposo epididimal se midió la expresión de los componentes del inflamasoma. Resultados: A pesar del aumento de peso en ambos grupos de dieta con alto contenido en lípidos, el grupo alto en lípidos TP ganó menos peso que el grupo AL. Por otro lado, la expresión de genes del inflamasoma resultó mayor en los grupos AL, pero no se encontraron diferencias entre los grupos AL y AL TP. Además, no se observaron diferencias en la concentración de IL-1β en suero entre grupos. Conclusiones: La dieta suplementada con TP previno el aumento del peso corporal, pero no modificó la expresión de los componentes del inflamasoma ni la concentración de IL-1β en suero.

Mecanismos y dianas terapéuticas del inflamasoma NLRP3 en la miocardiopatía diabética / NLRP3 inflammasome mechanism and therapeutic targets in diabetic cardiomyopathy

Resumen La cardiomiopatía diabética es una complicación grave de la diabetes causada por estrés oxidativo, inflamación, resistencia a la insulina, fibrosis miocárdica y lipotoxicidad. Se trata de un padecimiento insidioso, complejo y difícil de tratar. El inflamasoma NLRP3 desencadena la maduración y liberación de citoquinas proinflamatorias, participa en procesos fisiopatológicos como la resistencia a la insulina y la fibrosis miocárdica, además de estar estrechamente relacionado con la aparición y progresión de la cardiomiopatía diabética. El desarrollo de inhibidores dirigidos a aspectos específicos de la inflamación sugiere que el inflamasoma NLRP3 puede utilizarse para tratar la cardiomiopatía diabética. Este artículo pretende resumir el mecanismo y las dianas terapéuticas del inflamasoma NLRP3 en la cardiomiopatía diabética, así como aportar nuevas sugerencias para el tratamiento de esta enfermedad.

Abstract Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a serious complication of diabetes caused by oxidative stress, inflammation, insulin resistance, myocardial fibrosis, and lipotoxicity; its nature is insidious, complex and difficult to treat. NLRP3 inflammasome triggers the maturation and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, participates in pathophysiological processes such as insulin resistance and myocardial fibrosis, in addition to being closely related to the development and progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy. The development of inhibitors targeting specific aspects of inflammation suggests that NLRP3 inflammasome can be used to treat diabetic cardiomyopathy. This paper aims to summarize NLRP3 inflammasome mechanism and therapeutic targets in diabetic cardiomyopathy, and to provide new suggestions for the treatment of this disease.

Drofenine as a Kv2.1 inhibitor alleviated AD-like pathology in mice through A β/Kv2.1/microglial NLRP3/neuronal tau axis / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE Alzheimer disease(AD)is a neurodegenerative disease with clinical hallmarks of pro-gressive cognitive impairment.Synergistic effects of Aβ-tau cascade reaction are tightly implicated in AD patholo-gy,and microglial NLRP3 inflammasome activation drives neuronal tauopathy through microglia and neurons cross-talk.However,the underlying mechanism of how Aβ medi-ates NLRP3 inflammasome remains unclear.Shab related potassium channel member 1(Kv2.1)as a voltage gated po-tassium channel widely distributed in the central nervous system and plays an important role in regulating the out-ward potassium flow in neurons and glial cells.In current work,we aimed to explore the underlying mechanism of Kv2.1 in regulating Aβ/NLRP3 inflammasome/tau axis by using a determined Kv2.1 inhibitor drofenine(Dfe).METHODS Cell-based assays including Western blot-ting and immunofluorescence staining against primary microglia or neurons were carried out to expound the role of Kv2.1 channel in NLRP3 inflammasome activa-tion and subsequent neuronal tau hyperphosphorylation.For animal studies,new object recognition,Y-maze and Morris water maze were performed to evaluate the ame-lioration of Kv2.1 inhibition through either Kv2.1 inhibitor Dfe treatment or adeno-associated virus AAV-ePHP-si-Kv2.1injectionon5×FADADmodel mice.Assays of histol-ogy and immunostaining of tissue sections and Western blotting of brain tissues were performed to verify the con-clusion of cellular assays.RESULTS We reported that oligomeric Aβ(o-Aβ)bound to microglial Kv2.1 and pro-moted Kv2.1-dependent potassium leakage to activate NLRP3 inflammasome through JNK/NF-κB pathway sub-sequently resulting in neuronal tauopathy.Treatment of either Kv2.1 inhibitor Dfe or AAV-ePHP-si-Kv2.1 for brain-specific Kv2.1 knockdown deprived o-A β of its capability in inducing microglial NLRP3 inflammasome activation and neuronal tau hyperphosphorylation,while improved the cognitive impairment of 5×FAD AD model mice.CONCLUSION Our results have highly addressed that Kv2.1 channel is required for o-Aβ driving NLRP3 inflammasome activation and neuronal tauopathy in AD model mice and highlighted that Kv2.1 inhibition is a prom-ising therapeutical strategy for AD and Dfe as a Kv2.1 inhibitor shows potential in the treatment of this disease.

Heat-killed Lactobacillus murinus confers neuropro-tection against dopamine neuronal loss by targeting NLRP3 inflammasome / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE In this study,the effects of live Lactobacillus murinus(L.m)and heat-killed L.muri-nus(H-k L.m)on DA neuronal damage in rats and the underlying mechanisms were investigated.METHODS Male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups:vehicle group,L.m/H-k L.m(1×109 cfu)group,6-OHDH group,6-OHDH + L.m/H-k L.m(1×107 cfu)group,and 6-OHDH + L.m/H-k L.m(1×109 cfu)group.Wild-type and NLRP3 knockout mice were divided into three groups:sham(vehicle),6-OHDH,and 6-OHDH + H-k L.m(1×109 cfu).The model was established after five weeks of pre-administration.Motor ability of experimental mice was assessed by rotarod,mine,and stepping experiments;the expression of dopaminergic neuron markers—tyro-sine hydroxylase(TH),microglial cell markers—ionized calnexin 1(IBA-1),and NOD-like receptor family protein 3(NLRP3)in the substantia nigra was detected by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence experi-ments.The expression changes of TH,IBA-1,NLRP3,apoptosis-associated microparticle protein(ASC),cas-pase 1,and inflammatory factors such as interleukin-1β(IL-1β),IL-18,and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were detected by immunoblotting experiments.RESULTS H-k L.m ameliorated 6-OHDH-induced motor dysfunctions and loss of substantia nigra DA neurons,while no protec-tion was shown in live L.m treatment.At the same time,H-k L.m reduced the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in microglia and the secretion of pro-inflammatory factors,thus inhibiting the development of neuroinflammation.Fur-thermore,H-k L.m failed to display its original neuropro-tective properties in NLRP3 inflammasome knockout mice.CONCLUSION H-k L.m conferred neuroprotec-tion against DA neuronal loss via the inhibition of microglial NLRP3 inflammasome activation,these findings provide a promising potential for future applications of L.m,and also beneficial strategy for PD treatment.

Tetrahydroxy stilbene glycoside ameliorates neuroin-flammation for Alzheimer's disease via cGAS-STING / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE Alzheimer's disease(AD)is the most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide.Neuroinflammation is a potential target for the patients with AD.It is attributed to activated microglia and the release of various inflammatory mediators from infec-tion,ischemia and toxin accumulation.Accumulating evi-dence has indicated that the cGAS-STING pathway driven neuroinflammation in neurological disease.TSG is a main natural active ingredient that derived from polyg-onum multiflorum.Previous research from our group found that TSG has beneficial effects of anti-aging,anti-inflammatory action and improving memory function in APP/PS1 transgenic AD mice.Here,we investigated the effects of TSG on cognitive impairment and neuroinflam-mation in APP/PS1-AD mice and explore the underly-ing mechanism by which TSG ameliorates memory func-tion in the cGAS-STING-mediated inflammatory response.METHODS The Morris water mace test and the novel object recognition test were performed to test the effects of TSG on spatial learning and cognitive and memory abil-ity in APP/PS1 double transgenic AD mice model.In addi-tion,real-time quantitative PCR,Western blotting,ELISA analysis,and flow cytometry to examine gene and pro-tein expression of cGAS-STING related pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines.Statistical analyses were ana-lyzed using the SPSS 25.0 package by analysis of vari-ance(ANOVA).Neuman-Keuls or Tukey's multiple-com-parisons test were conducted as ANOVA justified post hoc comparisons between group means.RESULTS We demonstrated that AD transgenic mice exhibited cognitive deficits accompanied by the elevated serum and brain inflammation.The expressions of serum inflammatory cytokines and the activation of microglia in cerebral cor-tex and hippocampus were suppressed after TSG treat-ment,which was probably attributable to the decrease of cyclic GMP-AMP synthase(cGAS)and stimulator of interferon genes(STING)triggered immune response.Additionally,the data showed that TSG treatment reduced the expression level of inflammatory cytokines(IL-1β,TNF-α,IFN-β,IFN-α)in microglial cells BV2 primed with LPS and IFN-γ.CONCLUSION TSG implicated the health benefits in preventing cognitive disorders by inhib-iting neuroinflammation via cGAS-STING signalling path-way in AD.

Pharmacological inhibition of STING signaling attenu-ates MPTP-induced neuroinflammation and neurode-generation in experimental models of Parkinson's disease / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of pharmacological inhibition of STING by C-176,a STING selective inhibitor,in experimental model of Parkinson's disease.METHODS The acute and sub-acute mice mod-els of Parkinson's disease(PD)were established by in-traperitoneal injection of 1-methyl-4-(2′-methylphenyl)-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophine(MPTP).The selective STING inhibitor C-176 was administered by intraperitoneal injec-tion.The potential neuroprotective effects of C-176 were evaluated by behavioral test,tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)immunostaining,Nissl staining,Western blotting,qPCR and immunofluorescence.For in vitro study,the effects of C-176 on LPS/MPP+-induced inflammatory responses in BV2 microglial cells were determined by real time RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis.RESULTS Our study revealed that C-176 significantly inhibited STING signaling activation,ameliorated MPTP-induced dopami-nergic neurotoxicity,motor deficit and associated neuroin-flammation.Furthermore,pharmacological inhibition of STING in BV2 microglia treated with LPS/MPP+ exhibited decreased inflammatory responses.More importantly,C176 also reduced NLRP3 inflammasome activation both in vitro and in vivo.CONCLUSION The results of our study suggest that pharmacologic inhibition of STING protects against neuroinflammation that may act at least in part through suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome acti-vation and thus ameliorated dopaminergic neurodegener-ation.STING signaling may holds great promise for the development of new treatment strategy for PD as an effective therapeutic target.

Relationship between interleukin-1β and silicosis development / 中国基层医药

Silicosis is a diffuse pulmonary fibrosis disease caused by occupational exposure to silica, which is one of the occupational diseases with high incidence in developing countries. Up to now, there is no definite drug to relieve or reverse the lung injury caused by silicosis, so it is very important to prevent, diagnose and treat pulmonary fibrosis as soon as possible. Studies have shown that a chronic inflammatory environment contributes to pulmonary fibrosis to a certain extent. Interleukin-1β is a cytokine that increases the number of inflammatory factors in the microenvironment in the immune response and plays a key role in inflammatory reaction. Therefore, the release of interleukin-1β is of great significance in the pathogenesis of silicosis. This paper aims to systematically expound the development course of silicosis, the signal pathway of interleukin-1β production, and the relationship between them.

Effects of NLRP3 inflammasome activation on the proliferation, migration and extracellular matrix deposition of pancreatic stellate cells / 中华胰腺病杂志

Objective:To investigate the effects of NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3) inflammasome activation on the proliferation, migration and extracellular matrix desposition of activated pancreatic stellate cells(PSCs).Methods:The rat PSCs were isolated, cultured and identified, and were divided into control group or LPS group based on the pretreatment with LPS (10 μg/ml for 24 hours) or without. The expression of NLRP3 inflammasome associated molecules in PSCs culture medium was detected by ELISA. The PSCs with NLRP3 inhibition were constructed by shRNA carrying lentivirus infection and were divided into LPS+ negative control group and LPS+ lentivirus group based on whether the cells were treated with LPS and infected by lentivirus or not. The alteration in cell proliferation and migration were detected by CCK-8 kit and transwell chamber method. The expression of extracellular matrix α-SMA and collagen in PSCs was detected by immunofluorescence staining and the expression of TGF-β mRNA was analyzed by RT-qPCR.Results:The cytoplasm of PSCs which were cultured for 24 hours was rich in bright annular lipid droplets, and the cells expressed desmin. After 7 days of culture, the cell became larger in size, the lipid droplets basically disappeared, and the cells were activated and expressed α-SMA. The expression of caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18 in the supernatant of PSCs culture medium in LPS group were significantly higher than those in control group (1.55±0.04 vs 0.65±0.03), (2.02±0.04 vs 1.05±0.05) and (1.70±0.05 vs 0.97±0.03), respectively. After inhibiting by lentivirus infection, the expression of NLRP3 in the lentivirus group (0.25±0.04) was significantly lower than that in negative control group (0.68±0.05). In control group, LPS group, LPS+ negative control group and LPS+ lentivirus group, the A490 values was 0.61±0.02, 1.15±0.06, 0.96±0.05, and 0.56±0.01, respectively; the migrating PSCs number was (64.12±4.58), (121.67±8.02), (111.67±4.67) and (69.67±8.08)/HF, respectively; the relative expression of α-SMA was 0.78±0.05, 4.12±0.04, 3.81±0.06 and 0.88±0.05, respectively; the relative expression of collagen was 0.65±0.03, 3.43±0.02, 2.67±0.02 and 0.48±0.03, respectively; and the expression of TGF-β mRNA was 0.22±0.03, 0.89±0.01, 0.86±0.03 and 0.43±0.02, respectively. The A490 value, the migrating cells number, the expression of α-SMA, collagen and the expression of TGF-β mRNA in LPS group and LPS+ negative control group was significantly higher than those in control group and LPS+ lentivirus group, and all the differences were statistically significant (all P value <0.05). Conclusions:NLRP3 inflammasome activation may accelerate the extracellular matrix deposition and pancreatic fibrogenesis by promoting PSCs proliferation and migration ability via regulating the biological functions.

Research progress on the mechanisms of inflammasomes during respiratory infections / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Acute respiratory infections are the most common infectious diseases in children.Among them, respiratory viruses are the main pathogens that cause many respiratory diseases, system damages or even death.As the first line of defense against pathogens like respiratory viruses, the innate immune system recognizes the structural components of viruses and endogenous danger signals with the pattern recognition receptors on immune cells and epithelial cells.During this process, inflammasomes are assembled and activated, and they participate in the recognition of viruses, inflammatory and immune response against viruses.The present study aims to describe the composition and function of inflammasomes, as well as the activation and negative regulation mechanisms of inflammasomes during common respiratory infections.