NOD样受体热蛋白结构域相关蛋白3对哮喘小鼠气道炎症反应及细胞焦亡的调控作用

目的 研究NOD样受体热蛋白结构域相关蛋白3（nod-like receptor，pyrin domain containing 3，NLRP3）对哮喘小鼠气道炎症反应及细胞焦亡的调控作用。 方法 将NLRP3野生型（wild type，WT）C57BL/6J小鼠分为NLRP3-WT对照组、NLRP3-WT哮喘组，NLRP3敲除（knockout，KO）小鼠分为NLRP3-KO对照组、NLRP3-KO哮喘组，每组各10只。采用卵白蛋白+氢氧化铝腹腔注射致敏、卵白蛋白吸入激发的方法建立哮喘模型。检测各组小鼠气道反应性指标增强呼气间歇；苏木精-伊红染色观察各组小鼠肺组织形态学改变，并进行炎症评分；收集各组小鼠支气管肺泡灌洗液，计数中性粒细胞、嗜酸性粒细胞、淋巴细胞数目，并检测白细胞介素（interleukin，IL）-1β、IL-18含量；采用Western blot法检测各组小鼠肺组织中NLRP3、裂解型含半胱氨酸的天冬氨酸蛋白水解酶-1、Gasdermin D-N表达水平的差异。 结果 与NLRP3-WT对照组相比，NLRP3-WT哮喘组小鼠肺组织出现气道平滑肌增厚、炎性细胞浸润等形态学改变；NLRP3-KO哮喘组小鼠上述形态学表现较NLRP3-WT哮喘组小鼠明显改善。与NLRP3-WT对照组相比，NLRP3-WT哮喘组小鼠增强呼气间歇、肺组织炎症评分，支气管肺泡灌洗液中性粒细胞、嗜酸性粒细胞、淋巴细胞计数及IL-1β、IL-18含量，肺组织中NLRP3、裂解型含半胱氨酸的天冬氨酸蛋白水解酶-1、Gasdermin D-N的表达水平均升高（P<0.05）；NLRP3-KO哮喘组小鼠上述各检测指标水平均低于NLRP3-WT哮喘组（P<0.05）。 结论 NLRP3高表达与哮喘发病有关，激活气道炎症反应及细胞焦亡可能是与之相关的分子机制。 引用格式:     

Role of pyroptosis in liver diseases

Pyroptosis is known as a novel form of pro-inflammatory cell death program, which is exceptional from other types of cell death programs. Particularly, pyroptosis is characterized by Gasdermin family-mediated pore formation and subsequently cellular lysis, also release of several pro-inflammatory intracellular cytokines. In terms of mechanism, there are two signaling pathways involved in pyroptosis, including caspase-1, and caspase-4/5/11 mediated pathways. However, pyroptosis plays important roles in immune defense mechanisms. Recent studies have demonstrated that pyroptosis plays significant roles in the development of liver diseases. In our review, we have focused on the role of pyroptosis based on the molecular and pathophysiological mechanisms in the development of liver diseases. We have also highlighted targeting of pyroptosis for the therapeutic implications in liver diseases in the near future.     

Periostin aggravates NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury

Pyroptosis is a form of caspase-1-induced programmed cell death. This study aimed to investigate the effect of periostin (postn) on pyroptosis in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI). To this end, the differentially expressed genes were obtained from the GSE4105 dataset using the “GEO2R” online tool. Protein-protein interaction networks were constructed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) database, and Module and Go analysis were conducted using the Cytoscape 3.6 plugs-in MCODE and BINGO, respectively. The analysis showed that postn was a critical gene in the most significant module. Experimental results, including triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, pathological analysis, TUNEL staining, western blotting, and RT-qPCR assays, showed that MIRI induced caspase-1-mediated pyroptosis by activating the NLRP3 inflammasome. Postn was significantly upregulated in the heart tissues of MIRI rats and in H9C2 cells following hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) treatment. In addition, knockdown of postn suppressed the caspase-1-mediated pyroptosis and H/R-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation, as evidenced by flow cytometry, CCK8, RT-qPCR, western blotting, and ELISA assays. In contrast, overexpression of postn promoted NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis of H/R-treated H9C2 cells. According to the results of rescue experiments, a caspase-1 inhibitor reduced the increase in NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis induced by overexpression of postn, and the pyroptosis-promoting function of postn overexpression in H/R treated H9C2 cells was reversed by inhibition of NLRP3. In conclusion, postn overexpression promoted the caspase-1-mediated pyroptosis during MIRI by activating the NLRP3.     

Tangshenping granule inhibits pyroptosis in a rat model of streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy via the NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD pathway

ObjectiveTo explore the inhibitory effect of Tangshenping (TSP) on pyroptosis in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy (DN) rat model.MethodsDN was established in Sprague–Dawley rats. Rats were randomly divided into DN (model group), irbesartan, and TSP low-, medium-, and high-dose groups, besides the control group. The 24 h albuminuria content, and serum content of TC, TGs, Scr, IL-1β, UREA, LDLs, and IL-18 were assessed. Hematoxylin & eosin and Mallory staining were performed to examine pathological changes in the kidney. The mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3, caspase 1, and GSDMD in the kidney were also examined.ResultsThe 24 h albuminuria content was obviously lower in the treatment groups compared to the model group (all P < .01). Levels of TC, TGs, Scr, UREA, LDLs, and IL-18 after drug interventions were obviously lower compared to the model group (all P < .05). The serum content of IL-1β in the TSP medium- and high-dose groups were much lower compared to the model group (P = .013 and P = .001, respectively). Through immunohistochemistry and western blotting, we observed that the protein expressions of NLRP3, caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1β, and IL-18 were lower after drug interventions compared to the model group (all P < .05). Using qPCR, we observed that the mRNA expressions of caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-18, and GSDMD after drug interventions were significantly lower compared to the model group (all P < .05). The mRNA expressions of NLRP3 in the TSP medium- and high-dose groups were both lower compared to the model group (all P < .05).ConclusionTSP downregulated mRNA and protein expressions of NLRP3, caspase-1, and GSDMD. Our findings demonstrate that the beneficial effects of TSP on renal function are at least partly mediated by the inhibition of micro-inflammation and modulation of the expression of pyroptosis-related factors.     

细胞焦亡信号通路在放射损伤中的研究进展

细胞焦亡是一种炎症性的程序性细胞死亡;与凋亡不同,细胞焦亡时总伴随着炎症反应。研究发现,细胞焦亡与多种疾病的发生、发展密切相关。在放射治疗引起的放射损伤中,细胞焦亡也发挥着重要作用。电离辐射使得细胞内的DNA断裂,产生氧自由基,而两者正是细胞焦亡良好的诱导剂。因此,本文从细胞焦亡的信号通路入手,综述了细胞焦亡在放射损伤中的研究进展,以期为减弱或阻断放射损伤提供新的思路。     

表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯通过减弱HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3途径改善脓毒症后急性肝损伤

目的　探究表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯（EGCG）在脓毒症后急性肝损伤中的保护作用及潜在机制。方法　采用盲肠结扎穿刺术（CLP）建立脓毒症模型小鼠,以及使用脂多糖建立脓毒症后急性肝损伤细胞模型。8～10周龄雄性C57BL/6J小鼠88只随机分为CLP组、CLP+EGCG低剂量（4 mg/kg）组、CLP+EGCG高剂量（8 mg/kg）组和假手术组。正常肝细胞（L02细胞）根据干预方式不同分为脂多糖（LPS）（400 ng/mL）组、LPS（400 ng/mL）+高迁移率族蛋白B1（HMGB1）（100 ng/mL）组、LPS（400 ng/mL）+EGCG（100 μg/mL）组和对照组（PBS）组。术后24 h,采用全自动生化分析仪检测小鼠肝功能,镜下分析肝组织病理变化;ELISA法检测血清炎症因子;Western blot检测HMGB1、TOLL样受体4（TLR4）、NF-κB p65、NOD样受体蛋白3（NLRP3）、焦亡相关蛋白[消皮素D（GSDMD）、caspase 1、caspase 11、IL-1β、IL-18]的水平变化;采用免疫组织化学染色观察小鼠肝组织中HMGB1、GSDMD的表达及定位情况。L02细胞干预24 h后,采用ELISA法检测细胞上清液中炎症因子以及采用Western blot检测细胞中HMGB1、TLR4、NF-κB p65、NLRP3及焦亡相关蛋白的水平变化。结果　动物实验（样本量n=6）表明：CLP组小鼠白细胞计数、淋巴细胞计数、中性粒细胞计数、单核细胞计数均低于假手术组（P均<0.01）。与CLP组相比,CLP+EGCG低剂量、高剂量组小鼠血清丙氨酸转氨酶（ALT）、天冬氨酸转氨酶（AST）、HMGB1、TNF-α、IL-6表达水平明显降低（P均<0.05）,且CLP+EGCG高剂量组较低剂量组降低更为明显（P均<0.05）;HE染色结果提示CLP+EGCG低剂量、高剂量组小鼠肝组织损伤明显减轻,且以高剂量组为甚;Western blot提示CLP+EGCG低剂量、高剂量组肝组织中HMGB1、TLR4、NF-κB p65、 NLRP3、焦亡相关蛋白的表达水平明显下降（P均<0.05）,且以高剂量组降低更为明显（P均<0.05）;免疫组化提示CLP+EGCG低剂量、高剂量组中HMGB1和GSDMD的表达明显减少（P均<0.05）,且CLP+EGCG高剂量组降低更为明显（P均<0.05）。细胞实验（样本量n=8）表明：与LPS+HMGB1组相比,LPS组、LPS+EGCG组以及对照组的细胞上清液中HMGB1、TNF-α和IL-6的表达水平明显减少（P均<0.05）,且LPS+EGCG组较LPS组明显降低（P均<0.05）。Western blot结果提示LPS+HMGB1组中HMGB1、TLR4、NF-κB p65、 NLRP3以及焦亡相关蛋白表达水平较其余三组明显升高（P均<0.05）,且LPS+EGCG组较LPS组明显降低（P均<0.05）。结论　EGCG对脓毒症后急性肝损伤有保护作用,其机制可能与通过减弱HMGB1/TLR 4/NF-κB P65/NLRP3途径降低肝细胞焦亡有关。     

右美托咪定对脓毒症小鼠急性肾损伤的影响

目的 探讨右美托咪定对脓毒症小鼠急性肾损伤的影响及与肾脏细胞焦亡的关系。
方法 健康清洁级ICR小鼠32只,雌雄各半,8~12周龄,体重20~25 g。采用随机数字表法将小鼠分为四组：对照组（C组）、脂多糖（LPS）组（L组）、LPS+右美托咪定组（LD组）和LPS+右美托咪定+阿替美唑组（LT组）,每组8只。L组、LD组和LT组腹腔注射LPS 400 μg/kg,8 h后腹腔注射LPS 10 mg/kg建立脓毒症急性肾损伤模型。L组于建模即刻、建模后0.5、2、2.5、4、4.5 h腹腔注射生理盐水0.5 ml;LD组于建模即刻、建模后2、4 h腹腔注射生理盐水0.5 ml,于建模后0.5、2.5、4.5 h分别腹腔注射右美托咪定40 μg/kg;LT组于建模即刻、建模后2、4 h腹腔注射阿替美唑750 μg/kg,于建模后0.5、2.5、4.5 h分别腹腔注射右美托咪定40 μg/kg;C组在各时点腹腔注射等量生理盐水。所有小鼠于建模后24 h麻醉处死。采用全自动生化分析仪检测血清肌酐（Scr）和尿素氮（BUN）浓度,化学发光法测量肾皮质细胞三磷酸腺苷(ATP)和血清ATP浓度,ELISA法检测肾组织IL-1β和IL-18浓度,qRT-PCR法检测肾组织caspase-11、泛连接蛋白1（pannexin-1）、P2X7 mRNA表达量,Western blot法检测肾组织caspase-11、pannexin-1、P2X7蛋白含量,HE染色法观察肾组织病理结构,TUNEL染色记录肾小管上皮细胞凋亡细胞数并计算细胞凋亡率。
结果 与C组比较,L组、LD组和LT组血清BUN、Scr、ATP浓度均明显升高（P<0.05）,肾皮质细胞ATP浓度明显降低（P<0.05）,肾组织IL-1β和IL-18浓度、肾组织caspase-11、pannexin-1、P2X7 mRNA表达量及蛋白含量均明显升高（P<0.05）,肾小管上皮细胞凋亡率明显升高（P<0.05）。与L组比较,LD组血清Scr、BUN、ATP浓度均明显降低（P<0.05）,肾皮质细胞ATP浓度明显升高（P<0.05）,肾组织IL-1β浓度、肾组织caspase-11、pannexin-1 mRNA表达量均明显降低（P<0.05）,肾小管上皮细胞凋亡率明显降低（P<0.05）;LD组和LT组肾组织IL-18浓度、肾组织caspase-11、pannexin-1蛋白含量、肾组织P2X7 mRNA表达量及蛋白含量均明显降低（P<0.05）。与LD组比较,LT组血清BUN、Scr、ATP浓度均明显升高（P<0.05）,肾皮质细胞ATP浓度明显降低（P<0.05）,肾组织IL-1β和IL-18浓度、肾组织caspase-11、pannexin-1、P2X7 mRNA表达量及蛋白含量均明显升高（P<0.05）,肾小管上皮细胞凋亡率明显升高（P<0.05）。
结论 右美托咪定减轻了LPS导致的脓毒症小鼠肾脏病理学损伤,降低肾组织IL-1β和IL-18浓度,降低肾小管上皮细胞凋亡率,可能通过非经典途径减轻了肾脏细胞焦亡。     

清肺通络方通过胱天蛋白酶-1/Gasdermin D蛋白细胞焦亡途径对支原体肺炎小鼠的干预机制

目的:探讨清肺通络方通过胱天蛋白酶-1(Caspase-1)/Gasdermin D(GSDMD)蛋白细胞焦亡途径对支原体肺炎小鼠干预机制。方法:将30只BALB/c小鼠随机分为空白对照组、模型组、清肺通络方组,每组10只。采用肺炎支原体菌株滴鼻法建立支原体肺炎小鼠模型。造模同时予灌胃治疗,连续治疗3 d,实验第4天处死各组小鼠。PCR检测小鼠肺组织MP-DNA含量,HE染色观察小鼠肺组织病理改变,Western blot检测胱天蛋白酶-1前体(pro-Caspase-1)、Caspase-1、GSDMD、Gasdermin D氮端活性结构域多肽(GSDMD-N)表达,ELISA检测肺泡灌洗液中白介素-1β(IL-1β)、白介素-18(IL-18)含量,生化法检测肺组织细胞乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)和Na⁺-K⁺-ATP酶活性。结果:镜下观察模型组小鼠肺间质出现炎性细胞浸润、渗出明显。与空白对照组比较,模型组小鼠pro-Caspase-1、Caspase-1、GSDMD、GSDMD-N表达及IL-1β、IL-18含量均升高,LDH活性上升,Na     

Molecular mechanism and therapeutic targeting of necrosis,apoptosis, pyroptosis,and autophagy in cardiovascular disease

Cell death occurs in various tissues and organs in the body. It is a physiological or pathological process that has different effects. It is of great significance in maintaining the morphological function of cells and clearing abnormal cells. Pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necrosis are all modes of cell death that have been studied extensively by many experts and scholars, including studies on their effects on the liver, kidney, the heart, other organs, and even the whole body. The heart, as the most important organ of the body, should be a particular focus. This review summarizes the mechanisms underlying the various cell death modes and the relationship between the various mechanisms and heart diseases. The current research status for heart therapy is discussed from the perspective of pathogenesis.