Iopromide activates ROS-NLRP3 inflammasome signaling in HK-2 cells / 医学研究生学报

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveIopromide can induce injury to HK-2 cells, but its exact mechanism remains poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the influence of iopromide on ROS-NLRP3 inflammasome signaling in HK-2 cells.MethodsHK-2 human renal tubular epithelial cells were divided into six groups control and iopromide at 37, 74, 111, 148 and 185 mgI/mL. The HK-2 cells in the latter five groups were treated with different concentrations of iopromide for 24 hours. Then the ROS level in the cells was detected by 2′,7′-Dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate staining and flow cytometry and the protein expressions of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-1β, NF-κB and TNF-α determined by Western blot.ResultsThe ROS level was significantly increased in the HK-2 cells treated with iopromide at 37 mgI/ml (4103.89±98.89), 74 mgI/mL (4450.12±108.90), 111 mgI/mL (5050.85±606.76), 148 mgI/mL (6210.57±145.74) and 185 mgI/ml (7105.13±426.63) as compared with that in the control group (2551.71±84.00) (P<0.05). Western blot showed markedly upregulated expressions of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-1β and TNF-α in the HK-2 cells in all the latter five groups in comparison with the control (P<0.05) and an increased level of NF-κB after treated with iopromide at ≥111 mgI/ml (P<0.05).ConclusionIopromide may induce injury to HK-2 cells by activating the ROS-NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway.