Non-invasive detection of Aspergillosis in ventilated patients: Galactomannan analysis in exhaled breath.

This study evaluates the non-invasive diagnosis of Invasive Aspergillosis Pneumonia (IPA) in mechanically ventilated patients by measuring galactomannan (GM) in exhaled breath condensate (EBC). Utilizing a rat model and a novel EBC collection device, we compared GM levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and EBC, supplemented by cytokine profiling. Analysis of 75 patients confirmed the device's efficacy, with EBC-GM and BALF-GM showing high diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.88). The threshold of 0.235 ng/ml for EBC-GM achieved 92.8 % sensitivity and 66.7 % specificity, with a strong correlation (r = 0.707, P < 0.001) with BALF-GM. This approach offers a safe, effective alternative to invasive diagnostics, enhancing precision with IL-6 and TNF-α measurements. The number registered on clinicaltrails.gov is NCT06333379.

Gut-Derived Short-Chain Fatty Acids and Macrophage Modulation: Exploring Therapeutic Potentials in Pulmonary Fungal Infections.

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate, modulate immune cell functions, particularly macrophages. This review explores the potential therapeutic applications of SCFAs in pulmonary fungal infections, a critical concern due to their high mortality rates and antifungal resistance. SCFAs enhance macrophage functions by promoting phagosome-lysosome fusion, increasing reactive oxygen species production, and balancing cytokine responses. Pulmonary fungal infections, caused by pathogens like Aspergillus fumigatus, are prevalent in immunocompromised patients, including those with diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and those on high-dose corticosteroids. SCFAs have shown promise in improving macrophage function in these contexts. However, the application of SCFAs must be balanced against potential side effects, including gut microbiota disruption and metabolic disorders. Further research is needed to optimize SCFA therapy for managing pulmonary fungal infections.

Gender and age related brain structural and functional alterations in children with autism spectrum disorder.

To explore the effects of age and gender on the brain in children with autism spectrum disorder using magnetic resonance imaging. 185 patients with autism spectrum disorder and 110 typically developing children were enrolled. In terms of gender, boys with autism spectrum disorder had increased gray matter volumes in the insula and superior frontal gyrus and decreased gray matter volumes in the inferior frontal gyrus and thalamus. The brain regions with functional alterations are mainly distributed in the cerebellum, anterior cingulate gyrus, postcentral gyrus, and putamen. Girls with autism spectrum disorder only had increased gray matter volumes in the right cuneus and showed higher amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation in the paracentral lobule, higher regional homogeneity and degree centrality in the calcarine fissure, and greater right frontoparietal network-default mode network connectivity. In terms of age, preschool-aged children with autism spectrum disorder exhibited hypo-connectivity between and within auditory network, somatomotor network, and visual network. School-aged children with autism spectrum disorder showed increased gray matter volumes in the rectus gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, insula, and suboccipital gyrus, as well as increased amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation and regional homogeneity in the calcarine fissure and precentral gyrus and decreased in the cerebellum and anterior cingulate gyrus. The hyper-connectivity between somatomotor network and left frontoparietal network and within visual network was found. It is essential to consider the impact of age and gender on the neurophysiological alterations in autism spectrum disorder children when analyzing changes in brain structure and function.

Establishment and characterization of a novel multidrug-resistant pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell line, PDAC-X1.

Drug resistance remains a significant challenge in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. The development of drug-resistant cell lines is crucial to understanding the underlying mechanisms of resistance and developing novel drugs to improve clinical outcomes. Here, a novel pancreatic cancer cell line, PDAC-X1, derived from Chinese patients has been established. PDAC-X1 was characterized by the immune phenotype, biology, genetics, molecular characteristics, and tumorigenicity. In vitro analysis revealed that PDAC-X1 cells exhibited epithelial morphology and cell markers (CK7 and CK19), expressed cancer-associated markers (E-cadherin, Vimentin, Ki-67, CEA, CA19-9), and produced pancreatic cancer-like organs in suspension culture. In vivo analysis showed that PDAC-X1 cells maintained tumorigenicity with a 100% tumor formation rate. This cell line exhibited a complex karyotype, dominated by subtriploid karyotypes. In addition, PDAC-X1 cells exhibited intrinsic multidrug resistance to multiple drugs, including gemcitabine, paclitaxel, 5-fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin. In conclusion, the PDAC-X1 cell line has been established and characterized, representing a useful and valuable preclinical model to study the underlying mechanisms of drug resistance and develop novel drug therapeutics to improve patient outcomes.

Establishment and characterization of the PDAC-X3 cell line: a novel Chinese-origin pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell line.

In this study, a novel pancreatic cancer cell line, termed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)-X3 cell line, was successfully derived from the primary tumor. Comprehensive analyses of its malignant phenotype, molecular properties, specific biomarkers, and histological features confirmed that PDAC-X3 cells serve as a valuable model for investigating the underlying mechanisms driving pancreatic carcinogenesis and advancing potential therapeutic strategies. The newly established cell line was continuously cultured for over 12 months and was stably passaged through more than 50 generations. Morphologically, PDAC-X3 cells displayed characteristics typical of epithelial tumors. The population doubling time for PDAC-X3 cells was determined to be 50 h. Karyotype analysis revealed that 75% of PDAC-X3 cells presented as hypotriploid, while 25% were sub-tetraploid, with representative karyotypes being 53 and XY der (1) inv (9) der (22). In suspension culture, PDAC-X3 cells efficiently formed organoids. Upon inoculation into BALB/C nude mice, these cells initiated the development of xenograft tumors, achieving a tumor formation rate of 33%. Morphologically, these xenografted tumors closely resembled the primary tumor. Drug sensitivity assays indicated that PDAC-X3 cells exhibited resistance to oxaliplatin but demonstrated sensitivity to 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), gemcitabine, and paclitaxel. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that CK7, CK19, E-cadherin, Vimentin, CA19-9 were positively expressed in PDAC-X3 cells. Meanwhile, the expression rate for Ki-67 was 30%, and that for CEA was not detected. Our findings underscore that PDAC-X3 represents a novel pancreatic cancer cell line, positioning it as a valuable model for basic research and the advancement of therapeutic strategies against pancreatic cancer.

Poly (I:C)-Induced microRNA-30b-5p Negatively Regulates the JAK/STAT Signaling Pathway to Mediate the Antiviral Immune Response in Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) via Targeting CRFB5.

In aquaculture, viral diseases pose a significant threat and can lead to substantial economic losses. The primary defense against viral invasion is the innate immune system, with interferons (IFNs) playing a crucial role in mediating the immune response. With advancements in molecular biology, the role of non-coding RNA (ncRNA), particularly microRNAs (miRNAs), in gene expression has gained increasing attention. While the function of miRNAs in regulating the host immune response has been extensively studied, research on their immunomodulatory effects in teleost fish, including silver carp (Hyphthalmichthys molitrix), is limited. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory role of microRNA-30b-5p (miR-30b-5p) in the antiviral immune response of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) by targeting cytokine receptor family B5 (CRFB5) via the JAK/STAT signaling pathway. In this study, silver carp were stimulated with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly (I:C)), resulting in the identification of an up-regulated miRNA (miR-30b-5p). Through a dual luciferase assay, it was demonstrated that CRFB5, a receptor shared by fish type I interferon, is a novel target of miR-30b-5p. Furthermore, it was found that miR-30b-5p can suppress post-transcriptional CRFB5 expression. Importantly, this study revealed for the first time that miR-30b-5p negatively regulates the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, thereby mediating the antiviral immune response in silver carp by targeting CRFB5 and maintaining immune system stability. These findings not only contribute to the understanding of how miRNAs act as negative feedback regulators in teleost fish antiviral immunity but also suggest their potential therapeutic measures to prevent an excessive immune response.

Role of the PARP1/NF-κB Pathway in DNA Damage and Apoptosis of TK6 Cells Induced by Hydroquinone.

Hydroquinone(HQ) is a widely used industrial raw material and is a topical lightening product found in over-the-counter products. However, inappropriate exposure to HQ can pose certain health hazards. This study aims to explore the mechanisms of DNA damage and cell apoptosis caused by HQ, with a focus on whether HQ activates the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway to participate in this process and to investigate the correlation between the NF-κB pathway activation and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1(PARP1). Through various experimental techniques, such as DNA damage detection, cell apoptosis assessment, cell survival rate analysis, immunofluorescence, and nuclear-cytoplasmic separation, the cytotoxic effects of HQ were verified, and the activation of the NF-κB pathway was observed. Simultaneously, the relationship between the NF-κB pathway and PARP1 was verified by shRNA interference experiments. The results showed that HQ could significantly activate the NF-κB pathway, leading to a decreased cell survival rate, increased DNA damage, and cell apoptosis. Inhibiting the NF-κB pathway could significantly reduce HQ-induced DNA damage and cell apoptosis and restore cell proliferation and survival rate. shRNA interference experiments further indicated that the activation of the NF-κB pathway was regulated by PARP1. This study confirmed the important role of the NF-κB pathway in HQ-induced DNA damage and cell apoptosis and revealed that the activation of the NF-κB pathway was mediated by PARP1. This research provides important clues for a deeper understanding of the toxic mechanism of HQ.

Downregulation of miR-1388 Regulates the Expression of Antiviral Genes via Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor (TNFR)-Associated Factor 3 Targeting Following poly(I:C) Stimulation in Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix).

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are highly conserved endogenous single-stranded non-coding RNA molecules that play a crucial role in regulating gene expression to maintain normal physiological functions in fish. Nevertheless, the specific physiological role of miRNAs in lower vertebrates, particularly in comparison to mammals, remains elusive. Additionally, the mechanisms underlying the control of antiviral responses triggered by viral stimulation in fish are still not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the regulatory impact of miR-1388 on the signaling pathway mediated by IFN regulatory factor 3 (IRF3). Our findings revealed that following stimulation with the viral analog poly(I:C), the expression of miR-1388 was significantly upregulated in primary immune tissues and macrophages. Through a dual luciferase reporter assay, we corroborated a direct targeting relationship between miR-1388 and tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)-associated factor 3 (TRAF3). Furthermore, our study demonstrated a distinct negative post-transcriptional correlation between miR-1388 and TRAF3. We observed a significant negative post-transcriptional regulatory association between miR-1388 and the levels of antiviral genes following poly(I:C) stimulation. Utilizing reporter plasmids, we elucidated the role of miR-1388 in the antiviral signaling pathway activated by TRAF3. By intervening with siRNA-TRAF3, we validated that miR-1388 regulates the expression of antiviral genes and the production of type I interferons (IFN-Is) through its interaction with TRAF3. Collectively, our experiments highlight the regulatory influence of miR-1388 on the IRF3-mediated signaling pathway by targeting TRAF3 post poly(I:C) stimulation. These findings provide compelling evidence for enhancing our understanding of the mechanisms through which fish miRNAs participate in immune responses.

Photoaffinity probe-based antimalarial target identification of artemisinin in the intraerythrocytic developmental cycle of Plasmodium falciparum.

Malaria continues to pose a serious global health threat, and artemisinin remains the core drug for global malaria control. However, the situation of malaria resistance has become increasingly severe due to the emergence and spread of artemisinin resistance. In recent years, significant progress has been made in understanding the mechanism of action (MoA) of artemisinin. Prior research on the MoA of artemisinin mainly focused on covalently bound targets that are alkylated by artemisinin-free radicals. However, less attention has been given to the reversible noncovalent binding targets, and there is a paucity of information regarding artemisinin targets at different life cycle stages of the parasite. In this study, we identified the protein targets of artemisinin at different stages of the parasite's intraerythrocytic developmental cycle using a photoaffinity probe. Our findings demonstrate that artemisinin interacts with parasite proteins in vivo through both covalent and noncovalent modes. Extensive mechanistic studies were then conducted by integrating target validation, phenotypic studies, and untargeted metabolomics. The results suggest that protein synthesis, glycolysis, and oxidative homeostasis are critically involved in the antimalarial activities of artemisinin. In summary, this study provides fresh insights into the mechanisms underlying artemisinin's antimalarial effects and its protein targets.

Molecular-level insight into the behavior of metal cations and organic matter during the aggregation of polystyrene nanoplastics.

In this study, the behavior of metal cations and organic matter during polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNP) aggregation was explored combing experimental measurements and molecular dynamics simulation. The results indicated that coexisting organic matter, including organic pollutants and humic acid (HA), play a complex role in determining PSNP aggregation. The representative organic pollutant, bisphenol A, exhibited competitive behavior with HA during heteroaggregation, and the heteroaggregation between HA and PSNP was impaired by bisphenol A. The bridging effect of metal ions in aggregation is related to their interaction strength with functional groups, binding affinity with water molecules, and concentration. In particular, Mg2+ interacts more strongly with oxygen-containing functional groups on PSNP than Ca2+. However, Mg2+ is more favorable for binding with water and is therefore not as effective as Ca2+ for destabilizing PSNP. Compared with Ca2+ and Mg2+, Na+ showed a weaker association with PSNP; however, it still showed a significant effect in determining the aggregation behavior of PSNP owing to its high concentration in seawater. Overall, we provided a molecular-level understanding of PSNP aggregation and deepened our understanding of the fate of nanoplastics.

Gambogic acid exhibits promising anticancer activity by inhibiting the pentose phosphate pathway in lung cancer mouse model.

BACKGROUND: The pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) plays a crucial role in the material and energy metabolism in cancer cells. Targeting 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD), the rate-limiting enzyme in the PPP metabolic process, to inhibit cellular metabolism is an effective anticancer strategy. In our previous study, we have preliminarily demonstrated that gambogic acid (GA) induced cancer cell death by inhibiting 6PGD and suppressing PPP at the cellular level. However, it is unclear whether GA could suppress cancer cell growth by inhibiting PPP pathway in mouse model. PURPOSE: This study aimed to confirm that GA as a covalent inhibitor of 6PGD protein and to validate that GA suppresses cancer cell growth by inhibiting the PPP pathway in a mouse model. METHODS: Cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assays as well as flow cytometry. The protein targets of GA were identified using a chemical probe and activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) technology. The target validation was performed by in-gel fluorescence assay, the Cellular Thermal Shift Assay (CETSA). A lung cancer mouse model was constructed to test the anticancer activity of GA. RNA sequencing was performed to analyze the global effect of GA on gene expression. RESULTS: The chemical probe of GA exhibited high biological activity in vitro. 6PGD was identified as one of the binding proteins of GA by ABPP. Our findings revealed a direct interaction between GA and 6PGD. We also found that the anti-cancer activity of GA depended on reactive oxygen species (ROS), as evidenced by experiments on cells with 6PGD knocked down. More importantly, GA could effectively reduce the production of the two major metabolites of the PPP in lung tissue and inhibit cancer cell growth in the mouse model. Finally, RNA sequencing data suggested that GA treatment significantly regulated apoptosis and hypoxia-related physiological processes. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated that GA was a covalent inhibitor of 6PGD protein. GA effectively suppressed cancer cell growth by inhibiting the PPP pathway without causing significant side effects in the mouse model. Our study provides in vivo evidence that elucidates the anticancer mechanism of GA, which involves the inhibition of 6PGD and modulation of cellular metabolic processes.

Unveiling the molecular mechanisms of size-dependent effect of polystyrene micro/nano-plastics on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii through proteomic profiling.

Microplastics have become a prevalent environmental pollutant due to widespread release and production. Algae, as primary producers, play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of freshwater environments. Despite reports on the inhibition of microalgae by microplastics, the size-dependent effects on microalgae and associated molecular mechanism remain poorly understood. This study investigates the impacts of three polystyrene micro/nano-plastics (PS-MNPs) with different sizes (100 nm, 350 nm, and 6 µm) and concentrations (25-200 mg/L) on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (C. reinhardtii) throughout its growth period. Results reveal size- and concentration-dependent growth inhibition and induction of oxidative stress by PS-MNPs, with microalgae exhibiting increased vulnerability to smaller-sized and higher-concentration PS-MNPs. Proteomics analysis elucidates the size-dependent suppression of proteins involved in the photosynthesis process by PS-MNPs. Photosynthetic activity assays demonstrate that smaller PS-MNPs more significantly reduce chlorophyll content and the maximal photochemical efficiency of photosystem II. Finally, electron microscope and Western blot assays collectively confirm the size effect of PS-MNPs on microalgae growth is attributable to suppressed protein expression rather than shading effects. This study contributes to advancing our understanding of the intricate interactions between micro/nano-plastics and algae at the molecular level, emphasizing the efficacy of proteomics in dissecting the mechanistic aspects of microplastics-induced biological effects on environmental indicator organisms.

A novel multidrug-resistant cell line from a Chinese patient with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Chemotherapy resistance poses clinical challenges in pancreatic cancer treatment. Developing cell lines resistant to chemotherapy is crucial for investigating drug resistance mechanisms and identifying alternative treatment pathways. The genetic and biological attributes of pancreatic cancer depend on its aetiology, racial demographics and anatomical origin, underscoring the need for models that comprehensively represent these characteristics. Here, we introduce PDAC-X2, a pancreatic cancer cell line derived from Chinese patients. We conducted a comprehensive analysis encompassing the immune phenotype, biology, genetics, molecular characteristics and tumorigenicity of the cell line. PDAC-X2 cells displayed epithelial morphology and expressed cell markers (CK7 and CK19) alongside other markers (E-cadherin, Vimentin, Ki-67, CEA and CA19-9). The population doubling time averaged around 69 h. In vivo, PDAC-X2 cells consistently maintained their tumorigenicity, achieving a 100% tumour formation rate. Characterised by a predominantly tetraploid karyotype, this cell line exhibited a complex genetic markup. Notably, PDAC-X2 cells demonstrated resistance to multiple drugs, including gemcitabine, paclitaxel, 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin. In conclusion, PDAC-X2 presents an invaluable preclinical model. Its utility lies in facilitating the study of drug resistance mechanisms and the exploration of alternative therapeutic approaches aimed at enhancing the prognosis of this tumour type.

Diallyl disulfide antagonizes DJ-1 mediated proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and chemoresistance in gastric cancer cells.

Diallyl disulfide (DADS), an organic component of allicin abstracted from garlic, possesses multi-target antitumor activity. DJ-1 performs a vital function in promoting AKT aberrant activation via down-regulating phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) in tumors. It is unknown the involvement of DJ-1 in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of gastric cancer (GC) cells. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether diallyl disulfide (DADS) intervenes in the role of DJ-1 in GC. Based on the identification that the correlation between high DJ-1 and low PTEN expression in GC was implicated in clinical progression, we illuminated that down-regulation of DJ-1 by DADS aided in an increase in PTEN expression and a decrease in phosphorylated AKT levels, which was in line with the results manifested in the DJ-1 knockdown and overexpressed cells, concurrently inhibiting proliferation, EMT, migration, and invasion. Furthermore, the antagonistic effects of DADS on DJ-1 were observed in in vivo experiments. Additionally, DADS mitigated the DJ-1-associated drug resistance. The current study revealed that DJ-1 is one of potential targets for DADS, which hopefully provides a promising strategy for prevention and adjuvant chemotherapy of GC.

FTY720 Suppresses Pathogenic Retinal Müller Cell Activation and Chronic Progression by Inhibiting the mTOR/NF-κB Signaling Pathway and Regulating Autophagy.

PURPOSE: FTY720 is an agonist of the Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor 1, 3, 4, and 5 and a functional antagonist of the S1P1 receptor; it can inhibit the activation of mTOR/NF-κB and has therapeutic potential in inflammatory disease. This study was designed to determine the role of the inflammatory process in diabetic retinopathy and investigate the effect of FTY720 on high glucose (HG)-induced rat retinal Müller cells (rMC-1 cells). METHODS: In the present study, the role of FTY720 in inhibiting inflammation and its underlying mechanism were investigated. rMC-1 cells were treated without or with HG, FTY720, CQ, or RAP. Cell viability was examined by CCK-8 assay; cell activation was assessed by western blot analysis and IF staining; and cell migration was evaluated by a scratch wound healing assay. The expression of inflammation-associated proteins and autophagy-related proteins was evaluated by transmission electron microscopy, AO staining, MDC-labeled autophagic vacuoles, western blot analysis and ELISA. RESULTS: Western blot analysis and IF staining showed that the level of the rMC-1 cell marker GFAP was decreased, while GS was increased in FTY720 groups compared to that in the HG group. The healing assay results showed that compared with HG treatment, FTY720 treatment significantly reduced cell migration. Western blot analysis, ELISA and IF staining showed that compared with HG, FTY720 reduced proinflammatory proteins by inhibiting the mechanistic target of the mTOR/NF-κB signaling pathway and regulating autophagy. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that in an HG-induced rMC-1 cell model, FTY720 significantly inhibited the production of inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting mTOR/NF-κB signaling and regulating autophagy. These findings were associated with a decrease in rMC-1 cell injury, suggesting that FTY720 or related compounds may be valuable modulators of HG-induced retinal injury.

Unusual optical phenomena inside and near a rotating sphere: the photonic hook and resonance.

Based on the optical Magnus effect, the analytical expressions of the electromagnetic field that a spinning dielectric sphere illuminated by polarized plane waves are derived according to the "instantaneous rest-frame" hypothesis and Minkowski's theory. More attention is paid to the near field. The unusual optical phenomena in mesoscale spheres without material and illumination wave asymmetry that are the photonic hook (PH) and whispering gallery mode (WGM)-like resonance caused by rotation are explored. The impact of resonance scattering on PHs is further analyzed under this framework. The influence of non-reciprocal rotating dimensionless parameter γ on PH and resonance is emphasized. The results in this paper have extensive application prospects in mesotronics, particle manipulation, resonator design, mechatronics, and planetary exploration.

Polystyrene microplastics induce anxiety via HRAS derived PERK-NF-κB pathway.

Exposure to environmentally hazardous substances is recognized as a significant risk factor for neurological associated disorders. Among these substances, polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs), widely utilized in various consumer products, have been reported to exhibit neurotoxicity. However, the potential association of PS-MPs with abnormal anxiety behaviors, along with the underlying molecular mechanisms and key proteins involved, remains insufficiently explored. Here, we delineated the potential mechanisms of PS-MPs-induced anxiety through proteomics and molecular investigations. We characterized the PS-MPs, observed their accumulation in the brain, leading to anxiety-like behavior in mice, which is correlated with microglia activation and pro-inflammatory response. Consistent with these findings, our studies on BV2 microglia cells showed that PS-MPs activated NF-κB-mediated inflammation resulting in the upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNFα and IL-1ß. Of particular significance, HRAS was identified as a key factor in the PS-MPs induced pro-inflammatory response through whole proteomics analysis, and knockdown of H-ras effectively inhibited PS-MPs induced PERK-NF-κB activation and associated pro-inflammatory response in microglia cells. Collectively, our findings highlight that PS-MPs induce anxiety of mice via the activation of the HRAS-derived PERK-NF-κB pathway in microlglia. Our results contribute valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of PS-MPs-induced anxiety, and may offer implications for addressing neurotoxicity and prevention the adverse effects of environmentally hazardous substances, including microplastics.

Dectin-1 aggravates neutrophil inflammation through caspase-11/4-mediated macrophage pyroptosis in asthma.

BACKGROUND: The pattern recognition receptor Dectin-1 was initially discovered to play a pivotal role in mediating pulmonary antifungal immunity and promoting neutrophil-driven inflammation. Recent studies have revealed that Dectin-1 is overexpressed in asthma, but the specific mechanism remains elusive. Additionally, Dectin-1 has been implicated in promoting pyroptosis, a hallmark of severe asthma airway inflammation. Nevertheless, the involvement of the non-classical pyroptosis signal caspase-11/4 and its upstream regulatory mechanisms in asthma has not been completely explored. METHODS: House dust mite (HDM)-induced mice was treated with Dectin-1 agonist Curdlan, Dectin-1 inhibitor Laminarin, and caspase-11 inhibitor wedelolactone separately. Subsequently, inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were analyzed. Western blotting was performed to measure the protein expression of caspase-11 and gasdermin D (GSDMD). Cell pyroptosis and the expression of chemokine were detected in vitro. The correlation between Dectin-1 expression, pyroptosis factors and neutrophils in the induced sputum of asthma patients was analyzed. RESULTS: Curdlan appeared to exacerbate neutrophil airway inflammation in asthmatic mice, whereas wedelolactone effectively alleviated airway inflammation aggravated by Curdlan. Moreover, Curdlan enhanced the release of caspase-11 activation fragments and N-terminal fragments of gasdermin D (GSDMD-N) stimulated by HDM both in vivo or in vitro. In mouse alveolar macrophages (MH-S cells), Curdlan/HDM stimulation resulted in vacuolar degeneration and elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. In addition, there was an upregulation of neutrophil chemokines CXCL1, CXCL3, CXCL5 and their receptor CXCR2, which was suppressed by wedelolactone. In asthma patients, a positive correlation was observed between the expression of Dectin-1 on macrophages and caspase-4 (the human homology of caspase-11), and the proportion of neutrophils in induced sputum. CONCLUSION: Dectin-1 activation in asthma induced caspase-11/4 mediated macrophage pyroptosis, which subsequently stimulated the secretion of chemokines, leading to the exacerbation of airway neutrophil inflammation.