scholarly journals NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation Controls Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Phenotypic Switch in Atherosclerosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 340
Author(s):  
Fabienne Burger ◽  
Daniela Baptista ◽  
Aline Roth ◽  
Rafaela Fernandes da Silva ◽  
Fabrizio Montecucco ◽  
...  

(1) Background: Monocytes and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome orchestrate lipid-driven amplification of vascular inflammation promoting the disruption of the fibrous cap. The components of the NLRP3 inflammasome are expressed in macrophages and foam cells within human carotid atherosclerotic plaques and VSMCs in hypertension. Whether monocytes and NLRP3 inflammasome activation are direct triggers of VSMC phenotypic switch and plaque disruption need to be investigated. (2) Methods: The direct effect of oxLDL-activated monocytes in VSMCs co-cultured system was demonstrated via flow cytometry, qPCR, ELISA, caspase 1, and pyroptosis assay. Aortic roots of VSMCs lineage tracing mice fed normal or high cholesterol diet and human atherosclerotic plaques were used for immunofluorescence quantification of NLRP3 inflammasome activation/VSMCs phenotypic switch. (3) Results: OxLDL-activated monocytes reduced α-SMA, SM22α, Oct-4, and upregulation of KLF-4 and macrophage markers MAC2, F4/80 and CD68 expression as well as caspase 1 activation, IL-1β secretion, and pyroptosis in VSMCs. Increased caspase 1 and IL-1β in phenotypically modified VSMCs was detected in the aortic roots of VSMCs lineage tracing mice fed high cholesterol diet and in human atherosclerotic plaques from carotid artery disease patients who experienced a stroke. (4) Conclusions: Taken together, these results provide evidence that monocyte promote VSMC phenotypic switch through VSMC NLRP3 inflammasome activation with a likely detrimental role in atherosclerotic plaque stability in human atherosclerosis.

2019 ◽  
Vol 147 ◽  
pp. 104348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiasi Wu ◽  
Yu Luo ◽  
Qing Jiang ◽  
Sheng Li ◽  
Wenge Huang ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pengxiao Chen ◽  
Qi Bai ◽  
Yanting Wu ◽  
Qiongzhen Zeng ◽  
Xiaowei Song ◽  
...  

Artemisia argyi H. Lév. and Vaniot is a traditional medical herb that has been used for a long time in China and other Asian counties. Essential oil is the main active fraction of Artemisia argyi H. Lév. and Vaniot, and its anti-inflammatory potential has been observed in vitro and in vivo. Here, we found that the essential oil of Artemisia argyi H. Lév. and Vaniot (EOAA) inhibited monosodium urate (MSU)- and nigericin-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation. EOAA suppressed caspase-1 and IL-1β processing and pyroptosis. NF-κB p65 phosphorylation and translocation were also inhibited. In addition, EOAA suppressed nigericin-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation without blocking ASC oligomerization, suggesting that it may inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation by preventing caspase-1 processing. Our study thus indicates that EOAA inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation and has therapeutic potential against NLRP3-driven diseases.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 1523-1534
Author(s):  
Johan Courjon ◽  
Océane Dufies ◽  
Alexandre Robert ◽  
Laurent Bailly ◽  
Cédric Torre ◽  
...  

Abstract Dysregulated immune response is the key factor leading to unfavorable coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcome. Depending on the pathogen-associated molecular pattern, the NLRP3 inflammasome can play a crucial role during innate immunity activation. To date, studies describing the NLRP3 response during severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in patients are lacking. We prospectively monitored caspase-1 activation levels in peripheral myeloid cells from healthy donors and patients with mild to critical COVID-19. The caspase-1 activation potential in response to NLRP3 inflammasome stimulation was opposed between nonclassical monocytes and CD66b+CD16dim granulocytes in severe and critical COVID-19 patients. Unexpectedly, the CD66b+CD16dim granulocytes had decreased nigericin-triggered caspase-1 activation potential associated with an increased percentage of NLRP3 inflammasome impaired immature neutrophils and a loss of eosinophils in the blood. In patients who recovered from COVID-19, nigericin-triggered caspase-1 activation potential in CD66b+CD16dim cells was restored and the proportion of immature neutrophils was similar to control. Here, we reveal that NLRP3 inflammasome activation potential differs among myeloid cells and could be used as a biomarker of a COVID-19 patient’s evolution. This assay could be a useful tool to predict patient outcome. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT04385017.


2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (08) ◽  
pp. 2001-2015
Author(s):  
Guixian Zhang ◽  
Liming Tang ◽  
Hongbin Liu ◽  
Dawei Liu ◽  
Manxue Wang ◽  
...  

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a multifactorial, inflammatory syndrome characterized by acinar atrophy and fibrosis. Activation of NOD-like receptors family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a central mediator of multiple chronic inflammatory responses and chronic fibrosis including pancreatic fibrosis in CP. The Psidium guajavaleaf is widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of chronic inflammation, but the anti-inflammatory effect of Psidium guajavaleaf on CP has not yet been revealed. In this study, we investigated whether the extract of total flavonoids from Psidium guajava leaves (TFPGL) plays a therapeutic mechanism on CP through NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway in a mouse CP model. The H&E and acid-Sirius red staining indicted that TFPGL attenuated the inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrosis significantly. The results of immunohistological staining, western blot and RT-qPCR showed that the expressions of NLRP3 and caspase-1 were significantly increased in the CP model group, while TFPGL significantly decreased the NLRP3 and caspase-1 expression at both the gene and protein levels. Moreover, ELISA assay was used to examine the levels of NLRP3 inflammasome target genes, such as caspase-1, IL-1[Formula: see text] and IL-18. We found that TFPGL treatment decreased the expression of caspase-1, IL-1[Formula: see text] and IL-18, which is critical for the NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway and inflammation response significantly. These results demonstrated that TFPGL attenuated pancreatic inflammation and fibrosis via preventing NLRP3 inflammasome activation and TFPGL can be used as a potential therapeutic agent for CP.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Leng ◽  
Yingjie Zhang ◽  
Xinran Liu ◽  
Zhen Zhang ◽  
Yang Liu ◽  
...  

Long-term exposure to high glucose induces vascular endothelial inflammation that can result in cardiovascular disease. Astragaloside IV (As-IV) is widely used for anti-inflammatory treatment of cardiovascular diseases. However, its mechanism of action is still not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the effect of As-IV on high glucose-induced endothelial inflammation and explored its possible mechanisms. In vivo, As-IV (40 and 80 mg/kg/d) was orally administered to rats for 8 weeks after a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 65 mg/kg). In vitro, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with high glucose (33 mM glucose) in the presence or absence of As-IV, NPS2143 (CaSR inhibitor), BAY 11-7082 (NF-κB p65 inhibitor), and INF39 (NLRP3 inhibitor), and overexpression of CaSR was induced by infection of CaSR-overexpressing lentiviral vectors to further discuss the anti-inflammatory property of As-IV. The results showed that high glucose increased the expression of interleukin-18 (IL-18), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), NLRP3, caspase-1, and ASC, as well as the protein level of TLR4, nucleus p65, and CaSR. As-IV can reverse these changes in vivo and in vitro. Meanwhile, NPS2143, BAY 11-7082, and INF39 could significantly abolish the high glucose-enhanced NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-18, and IL-1β expression in vitro. In addition, both NPS2143 and BAY 11-7082 attenuated high glucose-induced upregulation of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-18, and IL-1β expression. In conclusion, this study suggested that As-IV could inhibit high glucose-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation and subsequent secretion of proinflammatory cytokines via inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and CaSR, which provides new insights into the anti-inflammatory activity of As-IV.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 205873922093492
Author(s):  
Jia Hu ◽  
Jie Wei ◽  
Cheng Zeng ◽  
Fengqi Duan ◽  
Sijun Liu ◽  
...  

Z-ligustilide (LIG) is the main bioactive compound of Danggui essential oil, which was reported to exert neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the underlying mechanism remains largely elusive. The present study aims to investigate the effect of LIG on oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R)-induced injury and whether Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and related pyroptosis are targets for the treatment of LIG. The OGD/R model was established in BV-2 microglial cells to investigate the protective effect of LIG. Cell viability and the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were determined by cell counting assay kit 8 and the LDH release assay kit. Western blot and immunofluorescence staining were carried out to detect NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis. Active caspase-1 and TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) double positive cells were defined as pyroptosis population. Statistical comparison among multiple groups was carried out by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by least significant difference (LSD) test. Compared with control cells, OGD/R impaired cell viability and induced the release of LDH in BV-2 microglial cells, which were associated with the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome as evidenced by increased expression of NLRP3 and the cleavage of caspase-1 and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β). In parallel with NLRP3 inflammasome activation, OGD/R induced pyroptotic cell death, manifested by the cleavage of gasdermin D (GSDMD) and increased population of active caspase-1+/TUNEL+ cells. All these events were significantly attenuated by treatment with LIG, indicating that LIG significantly inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis, and ameliorated OGD/R-induced cell injury. In conclusion, LIG protects BV-2 microglial cells against OGD/R-induced injury via inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome and pyroptosis.


Pharmacology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 101 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 236-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shiro Nakamura ◽  
Toshio Watanabe ◽  
Tetsuya Tanigawa ◽  
Sunao Shimada ◽  
Yuji Nadatani ◽  
...  

Activation of the NOD-Like Receptor Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, which consists of NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC), and pro-caspase-1, triggers pro-caspase-1 cleavage promoting the processing of pro-interleukin (IL)-1β into mature IL-1β, which is critical for the development of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced enteropathy. We investigated the effects of isoliquiritigenin, a flavonoid derived from the roots of Glycyrrhiza species, on NSAID-induced small intestinal damage and the inflammasome activation. To induce enteropathy, mice were administered indomethacin by gavage with or without isoliquiritigenin pretreatment. Some mice received an intraperitoneal injection of recombinant murine IL-1β in addition to isoliquiritigenin and indomethacin. Indomethacin induced small intestinal damage and increased protein levels of cleaved caspase-1 and mature IL-1β in the small intestine. Treatment with 7.5 and 75 mg/kg isoliquiritigenin inhibited indomethacin-induced small intestinal damage by 40 and 56%, respectively. Isoliquiritigenin also inhibited the indomethacin-induced increase in cleaved caspase-1 and mature IL-1β protein levels, whereas it did not affect the mRNA expression of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, and IL-1β. Protection against intestinal damage in isoliquiritigenin-treated mice was completely abolished with exogenous IL-1β. NLRP3–/– and caspase-1–/– mice exhibited resistance to intestinal damage, and isoliquiritigenin treatment failed to inhibit the damage in NLRP3–/– and caspase-1–/– mice. Isoliquiritigenin prevents NSAID-induced small intestinal damage by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation.


Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 121 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming-Fang Wu ◽  
Szu-Ting Chen ◽  
An-Hang Yang ◽  
Wan-Wan Lin ◽  
Yi-Ling Lin ◽  
...  

AbstractPersistent high fever is one of the most typical clinical symptoms in dengue virus (DV)–infected patients. However, the source of endogenous pyrogen (eg, IL-1β) and the signaling cascade leading to the activation of inflammasome and caspase-1, which are essential for IL-1β and IL-18 secretion, during dengue infection have not been elucidated yet. Macrophages can be polarized into distinct phenotypes under the influence of GM-CSF or M-CSF, denoted as GM-Mφ and M-Mφ, respectively. We found that DV induced high levels of IL-1β and IL-18 from GM-Mφ (inflammatory macrophage) and caused cell death (pyroptosis), whereas M-Mφ (resting macrophage) did not produce IL-1β and IL-18 on DV infection even with lipopolysaccharide priming. This observation demonstrates the distinct responses of GM-Mφ and M-Mφ to DV infection. Moreover, up-regulation of pro-IL-1β, pro-IL-18, and NLRP3 associated with caspase-1 activation was observed in DV-infected GM-Mφ, whereas blockade of CLEC5A/MDL-1, a C-type lectin critical for dengue hemorrhagic fever and Japanese encephalitis virus infection, inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyrotopsis in GM-Mφ. Thus, DV can activate NLRP3 inflammasome via CLEC5A, and GM-Mφ plays a more important role than M-Mφ in the pathogenesis of DV infection.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca La Rosa ◽  
Marina Saresella ◽  
Ivana Marventano ◽  
Federica Piancone ◽  
Enrico Ripamonti ◽  
...  

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is associated with amyloid-beta (Aβ) deposition and neuroinflammation, possibly driven by activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) hamper the assembly of the NLRP3 inflammasome; we analyzed whether stavudine (D4T), a prototypical NRTI, modulates Aβ-mediated inflammasome activation; because neuroinflammation impairs Aβ clearance by phagocytes, phagocytosis and autophagy were examined as well. THP-1-derived macrophages were stimulated in vitro with Aβ42 alone or after LPS priming with/without D4T. NLRP3 and TREM2 expression was analyzed by RT-PCR, phagocytosis and ASC-Speck by AmnisFlowSight, NLRP3-produced cytokines by ELISA, authophagy by P-ELISA evaluation of P-ERK and P-AKT. Results showed that IL1β, IL18 and caspase-1 were increased whereas Aβ-phagocytosis and TREM2 were reduced in LPS+Aβ42-stimulated cells. D4T reduced NLRP3 assembly as well as IL18 and caspase-1 production, but not IL1β, phagocytosis, and TREM2. P-AKT expression was augmented and P-ERK was reduced by D4T, suggesting a stimulatory effect on autophagy. D4T reduces NLRP3 inflammasome-associated inflammation, possibly restoring autophagy, in an in vitro model of AD; it will be interesting to verify its possibly beneficial effects in the clinical scenario.


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