scholarly journals The Role of the Effects of Autophagy on NLRP3 Inflammasome in Inflammatory Nervous System Diseases

Author(s):  
Shizhen Zhao ◽  
Xiaotian Li ◽  
jie Wang ◽  
Honggang Wang

Autophagy is a stable self-sustaining process in eukaryotic cells. In this process, pathogens, abnormal proteins, and organelles are encapsulated by a bilayer membrane to form autophagosomes, which are then transferred to lysosomes for degradation. Autophagy is involved in many physiological and pathological processes. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, containing NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC) and pro-caspase-1, can activate caspase-1 to induce pyroptosis and lead to the maturation and secretion of interleukin-1 β (IL-1 β) and IL-18. NLRP3 inflammasome is related to many diseases. In recent years, autophagy has been reported to play a vital role by regulating the NLRP3 inflammasome in inflammatory nervous system diseases. However, the related mechanisms are not completely clarified. In this review, we sum up recent research about the role of the effects of autophagy on NLRP3 inflammasome in Alzheimer’s disease, chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, Parkinson’s disease, depression, cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, early brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage, and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and analyzed the related mechanism to provide theoretical reference for the future research of inflammatory neurological diseases.

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
W Zuo ◽  
R Tian ◽  
Q Chen ◽  
L Wang ◽  
Q Gu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) is one of the leading causes of human death. Nod-like receptor protein-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome signaling pathway involved in the pathogenesis of MIRI. However, the upstream regulating mechanisms of NLRP3 at molecular level remains unknown. Purpose This study investigated the role of microRNA330-5p (miR-330-5p) in NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated MIRI and the associated mechanism. Methods Mice underwent 45 min occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery followed by different times of reperfusion. Myocardial miR-330-5p expression was examined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and miR-330-5p antagomir and agomir were used to regulate miR-330-5p expression. To evaluate the role of miR-330-5p in MIRI, Evans Blue (EB)/2, 3, 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, echocardiography, and immunoblotting were used to assess infarct volume, cardiac function, and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, respectively. Further, in vitro myocardial ischemia-reperfusion model was established in cardiomyocytes (H9C2 cell line). A luciferase binding assay was used to examine whether miR-330-5p directly bound to T-cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain-containing molecule-3 (TIM3). Finally, the role of miR-330-5p/TIM3 axis in regulating apoptosis and NLRP3 inflammasome formation were evaluated using flow cytometry assay and immunofluorescence staining. Results Compared to the model group, inhibiting miR-330-5p significantly aggravated MIRI resulting in increased infarct volume (58.09±6.39% vs. 37.82±8.86%, P<0.01) and more severe cardiac dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] 12.77%±6.07% vs. 27.44%±4.47%, P<0.01; left ventricular end-diastolic volume [LVEDV] 147.18±25.82 vs. 101.31±33.20, P<0.05; left ventricular end-systolic volume [LVESV] 129.11±30.17 vs. 74.29±28.54, P<0.05). Moreover, inhibiting miR-330-5p significantly increased the levels of NLRP3 inflammasome related proteins including caspase-1 (0.80±0.083 vs. 0.60±0.062, P<0.05), interleukin (IL)-1β (0.87±0.053 vs. 0.79±0.083, P<0.05), IL-18 (0.52±0.063 vs. 0.49±0.098, P<0.05) and tissue necrosis factor (TNF)-α (1.47±0.17 vs. 1.03±0.11, P<0.05). Furthermore, TIM3 was confirmed as a potential target of miR-330-5p. As predicted, suppression of TIM3 by small interfering RNA (siRNA) ameliorated the anti-miR-330-5p-mediated apoptosis of cardiomyocytes and activation of NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway (Figure 1). Conclusion Overall, our study indicated that miR-330-5p/TIM3 axis involved in the regulating mechanism of NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. Figure 1 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): National Natural Science Foundation of China Grants


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Limei Zhang ◽  
Hanyu Liu ◽  
Lili Jia ◽  
Jingshu Lyu ◽  
Ying Sun ◽  
...  

Background. The neuronal injury and cognitive dysfunction after liver transplantation have severe effects on the prognosis and life quality of patients. Accumulating evidence suggests that both exosomes and pyroptosis could participate in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) and play key roles in neuronal death. However, the link between exosomes and neuronal pyroptosis in HIRI awaits further investigation. Methods. After establishing the HIRI rat models, we primarily studied the role of pyroptosis in hippocampal and cortical neuron injury through detecting NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), pro-caspase-1, cleaved-caspase-1, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD (ASC), gasdermin D (GSDMD), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), and interleukin-18 (IL-18) expressions with western blotting, immunohistochemical staining, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Then, we intravenously injected normal male rats with exosomes isolated from the sera of HIRI-challenged rats and pretreated rats with MCC950, a specific inhibitor of NLRP3, and carried out the same assay. We also detected the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the hippocampal and cortical tissues. Results. The results indicated that NLRP3 inflammasome and caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis were activated in the hippocampus and cortex of HIRI rats. Furthermore, serum-derived exosomes from HIRI-challenged rats not only had the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) but also had the similar effects on neuronal pyroptosis. Moreover, ROS and MDA productions were induced in the HIRI and exosome-challenged groups. In addition, to some degree, MCC950 could alleviate HIRI-mediated hippocampal and cortical neuronal pyroptosis. Conclusion. This study experimentally demonstrated that circulating exosomes play a critical role in HIRI-mediated hippocampal and cortical injury through regulating neuronal pyroptosis.


Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 897 ◽  
Author(s):  
He ◽  
Li ◽  
Meng ◽  
Wu ◽  
Zhao ◽  
...  

Background: Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a crucial contributor in the inflammatory process during cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. ATF4 plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of cerebral I/R injury, however, its function and underlying mechanism are not fully characterized yet. In the current study, we examined whether ATF4 ameliorates cerebral I/R injury by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation and whether mitophagy is involved in this process. In addition, we explored the role of parkin in ATF4-mediated protective effects. Method: To address these issues, healthy male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to middle cerebral artery occlusion for 1 h followed by 24 h reperfusion. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) and siRNA were injected into rats to overexpress and knockdown ATF4 expression, respectively. After pretreatment with AAV, mdivi-1(mitochondrial division inhibitor-1) was injected into rats to block mitophagy activity. Parkin expression was knockdown using specific siRNA after AAV pretreatment. Result: Data showed that ATF4 overexpression induced by AAV was protective against cerebral I/R injury, as evidenced by reduced cerebral infraction volume, decreased neurological scores and improved outcomes of HE and Nissl staining. In addition, overexpression of ATF4 gene was able to up-regulate Parkin expression, enhance mitophagy activity and inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated inflammatory response. ATF4 knockdown induced by siRNA resulted in the opposite effects. Furthermore, ATF4-mediated inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation was strongly affected by mitophagy blockage upon mdivi-1 injection. Besides, ATF4-mediated increase of mitophagy activity and inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation were effectively reversed by Parkin knockdown using siRNA. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that ATF4 is able to alleviate cerebral I/R injury by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation through parkin-dependent mitophagy activity. These results may provide a new strategy to relieve cerebral I/R injury by modulating mitophagy-NLRP3 inflammasome axis.


2012 ◽  
Vol 111 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Liu ◽  
Lijian Zhang ◽  
Yan Qu ◽  
Chao Gao ◽  
Jingyi Liu ◽  
...  

As an inhibitor of the antioxidant thioredoxin, thioredoxin-interacting protein (Txnip) is linked to insulin resistance. NLRP3 inflammasome, a major regulator of innate immunity, has been reported to be activated by Txnip, thus contributing to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, the role of Txnip and its NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury has not been previously investigated. C57BL/6J mice were subjected to 30 min of ischemia and 3 or 24 hrs of reperfusion. The ischemic heart exhibited increased Txnip and NLRP3 expressions, increased interaction between Txnip and NLRP3 (by immunoprecipitation, 1.8-fold increase over sham), and increased IL-1β, IL-18 and caspase-1 expressions (%increase: 80%, 77% and 110%, respectively) (n=8, all P <0.05). Compared with vehicle group, those mice either receiving intramyocardial small-interfering RNA (siRNA) injection to specifically knockdown the myocardial NLRP3 or intraperitoneal injection of the inflammasome inhibitor (BAY 11-7082) exhibited significantly improved cardiac function (by 28% and 25%), decreased the infarct size (by 40% and 38%), and decreased the cardiomyocytes apoptosis (all P <0.05). NLRP3 knockdown or inflammasome inhibitor also decreased the inflammatory cells infiltration (macrophages and neutrophils) and cytokines (TNF-α, INF-γ and IL-6) production (all P <0.05). To elucidate the role of Txnip in the NLRP3 activation in MI/R, intramyocardial injection of Txnip siRNA was performed to specifically knockdown the myocardial Txnip expression. Compared with vehicle, the Txnip knockdown significantly decreased Txnip/NLRP3 interaction and NLRP3activation as evidenced by lower expressions of IL-1β and caspase-1, decreased inflammatory cells infiltration and cytokines expressions, and consequently decreased the myocardial infarct size and increased the heart function (all P <0.05). Collectively, we demonstrated for the first time that Txnip mediatedNLRP3 inflammasome activation is a novel mechanism of MI/R injury. Interventions targeted to blocking the activation of NLRP3 by inhibiting Txnip may have therapeutic potential for preventing MI/R injury.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianjun Jiang ◽  
Jin Yang ◽  
Yining Shi ◽  
Jiyu Cao ◽  
Youjin Lu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The NOD-Like Receptor Protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a crucial component of an array of inflammatory conditions. It functions by boosting the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines: interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18). Previous studies have established the vital role of the acid sphingomyelinase (ASM)/ceramide (Cer) pathway in the functional outcome of cells, with a particular emphasis on the inflammatory processes. This study aimed to explore the effects and associated underlying mechanism of Cer-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation.Methods: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation in J774A.1 cells was used as an in vitro inflammatory model. Western blotting and Real-time PCR (RT-PCR) were used to detect the protein and mRNA levels, respectively. IL-1β and IL-18 levels were evaluated using ELISA kits. ASM assay kit and immunofluorescence were used to detect ASM activity and Cer content.Results: Imipramine, a well-known inhibitor of ASM, significantly inhibited ASM activity and inhibited Cer accumulation, which indicated ASM activation. Besides, it also suppressed the LPS/ATP-induced expression of proteins and mRNA: thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP), NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18. Interestingly verapamil, a TXNIP inhibitor, suppressed LPS/ATP-induced TXNIP/NLRP3 inflammasome activation; however, it did not affect LPS/ATP-induced ASM activation and ceramide production. Further analysis showed that the exogenous C2-Cer treated J774A.1 cells induced the overexpression of TXNIP, NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18. Besides, TXNIP siRNA or verapamil inhibited C2-Cer-induced TXNIP overexpression and NLRP3 inflammasome activation.Conclusion: This study demonstrated the involvement of the ASM/Cer/TXNIP signaling pathway in NLRP3 inflammasome activation.


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