全氟辛烷磺酸通过NLRP3炎症小体诱导幼年期大鼠肺损伤及格列本脲干预的研究

目的:探讨含NLRP3家族Pyrin域蛋白3(NLRP3)炎症小体参与全氟辛烷磺酸(PFOS)诱导幼年期大鼠肺损伤的可能机制。方法:28只21日龄SD大鼠随机分为对照(C)组、PFOS(P)组、格列本脲(G)组和格列本脲+PFOS(GP)组。将实验动物根据不同分组建立PFOS暴露模型和格列本脲保护模型,留取肺标本进行HE染色,ELISA法检测肺组织中髓过氧化物酶(MPO)含量以及支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中白细胞介素1β(IL-1β)和IL-18含量,高效液相色谱法(HPLC)检测血清中PFOS浓度,Western blot法检测肺组织中NLRP3、caspase-1和含CARD凋亡相关斑点样蛋白(ASC)的蛋白水平。结果:肺组织病理切片HE染色结果显示,与C组相比,P组的气管及肺泡间质可见明显炎症浸润;格列本脲可使炎症反应显著减轻。ELISA结果显示,P组肺组织中MPO含量较C组显著升高(P<0.05),P组BALF中的IL-1β和IL-18含量较C组也明显升高(P<0.05);GP组肺组织MPD含量及BALF中IL-1β和IL-18含量均较P组降低(P<0.05...     

NLRP3炎症小体激活的调控机制研究进展

NLRP3炎症小体是固有免疫系统的重要组成部分,在抵抗病原体感染及危险信号刺激过程中发挥关键作用。同时,NLRP3炎症小体的异常激活也与糖尿病、阿尔茨海默病、红斑狼疮等疾病密切相关。因此,调控和干预炎症小体激活过程对维持机体免疫稳态和发挥免疫功能有重要作用。本文从NLRP3的翻译后修饰、互作分子、细胞器和细胞定位改变以及与NLRP3功能相关的代谢过程和代谢物等多个方面综述了NLRP3炎症小体激活的调控机制研究进展,以期为理解炎症小体激活和炎症反应的发生,以及治疗炎症相关疾病提供新的借鉴。     

MicroRNA-223 regulates inflammation and brain injury via feedback to NLRP3 inflammasome after intracerebral hemorrhage

NLRP3 inflammasome, the multimeric protein complexes involved in the processing of IL-1β through Caspase-1 cleavage, facilitates the inflammatory response. The control and activation of NLRP3 after intracerebral hemorrhage have not been fully studied. In the current study, we explore the specific microRNA which could regulate the NLRP3 inflammasome and inflammation after intracerebral hemorrhage. We detected the inverse relationship between the expression of miR-223 and NLRP3. We found that NLRP3 mRNA contains conserved miR-223 binding sites in its 3′ UTR, and miR-223 could directly regulate NLRP3 expression through these 3′ UTR sites. Our results indicate that miR-223 could downregulate NLRP3 to inhibit inflammation through caspase-1 and IL-1β, reduce brain edema and improve neurological functions. Together, miR-223 may be a vital regulator of NLRP3 inflammasome activation. The results suggest that miR-223 represents a novel target reducing the inflammatory response, and offers a new therapeutical strategy following ICH.     

Histones trigger sterile inflammation by activating the NLRP3 inflammasome

Sterile cell death mediated inflammation is linked to several pathological disorders and involves danger recognition of intracellular molecules released by necrotic cells that activate different groups of innate pattern recognition receptors. Toll‐like receptors directly interact with their extrinsic or intrinsic agonists and induce multiple proinflammatory mediators. In contrast, the NLRP3 inflammasome is rather thought to represent a downstream element integrating various indirect stimuli into proteolytic cleavage of interleukin (IL)–1β and IL‐18. Here, we report that histones released from necrotic cells induce IL‐1β secretion in an NLRP3–ASC‐caspase‐1‐dependent manner. Genetic deletion of NLRP3 in mice significantly attenuated histone‐induced IL‐1β production and neutrophil recruitment. Furthermore, necrotic cells induced neutrophil recruitment, which was significantly reduced by histone‐neutralizing antibodies or depleting extracellular histones via enzymatic degradation. These results identify cytosolic uptake of necrotic cell‐derived histones as a triggering mechanism of sterile inflammation, which involves NLRP3 inflammasome activation and IL‐1β secretion via oxidative stress.     

Adipose tissue inflammation: Feeding the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus

The global increase in obesity-induced type 2 diabetes (T2DM) represents a burden for healthcare systems worldwide. Of particular concern is the increased morbidity associated with T2DM, in particular cardiovascular disease (CVD), leading to premature death. Obesity initially leads to the development of insulin resistance in adipose and other tissues. Insulin resistance is initially compensated by increased insulin secretion but ultimately insufficient insulin is produced and this leads to the development of T2DM. Understanding the causal mechanisms underpinning the development of obesity-induced insulin resistance may be beneficial in improving quality of life and life expectancy, with the potential for a major global impact on healthcare systems. There is abundant evidence from animal, human studies and in vitro studies to support functional roles for a number of inflammatory factors in obesity-induced insulin resistance. In this review we provide an overview of the evidence supporting a fundamental role for the fluid phase (in particular the complement system) and the cellular components of the innate immune system in the pathogenesis of obesity-induced insulin resistance and ultimately development of T2DM.     

The purinergic 2X7 receptor participates in renal inflammation and injury induced by high‐fat diet: possible role of NLRP3 inflammasome activation

Renal disease associated with type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome is characterized by a distinct inflammatory phenotype. The purinergic 2X₇ receptor (P2X₇R) and the nucleotide‐binding and oligomerization domain‐like receptor containing a pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome have been separately shown to play a role in two models of non‐metabolic chronic kidney disease. Moreover, the NLRP3 inflammasome has been implicated in chronic low‐grade sterile inflammation characterizing metabolic disorders, though the mechanism(s) involved in inflammasome activation under these conditions are still unknown. We investigated the role of P2X₇R (through activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome) in renal inflammation and injury induced by a high‐fat diet, an established model of the metabolic syndrome. On a high‐fat diet, mice lacking P2X₇R developed attenuated renal functional and structural alterations as well as reduced inflammation, fibrosis, and oxidative/carbonyl stress, as compared with wild‐type animals, in the absence of significant differences in metabolic parameters. This was associated with blunted up‐regulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome components NLRP3, apoptosis‐associated speck‐like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC), pro‐caspase 1, pro‐interleukin (IL)‐1β, and pro‐IL‐18, as well as reduced inflammasome activation, as evidenced by decreased formation of mature caspase 1, whereas mature IL‐1β and IL‐18 were not detected. Up‐regulated expression of NLRP3 and pro‐caspase 1, post‐translational processing of pro‐caspase‐1, and release of IL‐18 in response to lipopolysaccharide + 2′(3′)‐O‐(4‐benzoylbenzoyl)ATP were attenuated by P2X₇R silencing in cultured mouse podocytes. Protein and mRNA expression of P2X₇R, NLRP3, and ASC were also increased in kidneys from subjects with type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome, showing histologically documented renal disease. These data provide evidence of a major role for the purinergic system, at least in part through activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, in the process driving ‘metabolic’ renal inflammation and injury and identify P2X₇R and NLRP3 as novel therapeutic targets. Copyright © 2013 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Negative regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome by SIRT1 in vascular endothelial cells

NLRP3 inflammasome not only functions as a critical effector in innate immunity, but also triggers the production of proinflammatory cytokines involved in inflammation-associated diseases. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) plays an important role in the regulation of cellular inflammation. However, whether the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome is regulated by SIRT1 remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the regulatory effect of SIRT1 on NLRP3 inflammasome and the underlying mechanisms. We found that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-induced the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Activation of SIRT1 inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation and subsequent caspase-1 cleavage as well as interleukin (IL)-1β secretion, whereas SIRT1 knockdown obviously enhanced the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in HUVECs. Importantly, gene silencing of SIRT1 abrogated the inhibitory effect of SIRT1 activator on NLRP3 inflammasome formation and IL-1β production in HUVECs stimulated with LPS plus ATP. Further study indicated that cluster of differentiation 40 (CD40) may be involved in the regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome by SIRT1. In vivo studies indicated that implantation of the periarterial carotid collar increased the arterial expression levels of CD40 and CD40 Ligand (CD40L), but inhibited arterial SIRT1 expression in the rabbits. Moreover, treatment with SIRT1 activator decreased CD40 and CD40L levels in collared arteries. Meanwhile, serum IL-1β level, the marker of inflammasome activation, was also inhibited by SIRT1 activation. Taken together, these findings revealed a novel regulatory mechanism of NLRP3 inflammasome by SIRT1, which may be related to suppression of CD40.     

NLRP3 inflammasome activation and cell death

The NLRP3 inflammasome is a cytosolic multiprotein complex composed of the innate immune receptor protein NLRP3, adapter protein ASC, and inflammatory protease caspase-1 that responds to microbial infection, endogenous danger signals, and environmental stimuli. The assembled NLRP3 inflammasome can activate the protease caspase‐1 to induce gasdermin D-dependent pyroptosis and facilitate the release of IL-1β and IL-18, which contribute to innate immune defense and homeostatic maintenance. However, aberrant activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome is associated with the pathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. Recent studies have revealed that NLRP3 inflammasome activation contributes to not only pyroptosis but also other types of cell death, including apoptosis, necroptosis, and ferroptosis. In addition, various effectors of cell death have been reported to regulate NLRP3 inflammasome activation, suggesting that cell death is closely related to NLRP3 inflammasome activation. In this review, we summarize the inextricable link between NLRP3 inflammasome activation and cell death and discuss potential therapeutics that target cell death effectors in NLRP3 inflammasome-associated diseases.     

SO_2衍生物通过NLRP3炎症小体促进气道上皮细胞炎症发生

目的:观察二氧化硫(SO_2)衍生物亚硫酸钠和亚硫酸氢钠对支气管上皮细胞NLRP3炎症小体活化的影响。方法:使用不同浓度的SO_2衍生物作用于支气管上皮细胞16HBE,通过流式细胞术检测细胞内活性氧簇(ROS)的生成,Western blot检测细胞内NLRP3和caspase-1 p20蛋白水平,ELISA检测细胞上清中白细胞介素1β(IL-1β)的分泌水平,结合细胞毒性实验(MTT)确定2 mmol/L为SO_2衍生物的实验浓度。采用RNA干扰技术沉默16HEB细胞NLRP3基因及ROS清除剂N-乙酰半胱氨酸(NAC)预处理16HBE细胞,通过流式细胞术检测细胞内ROS, Western blot和ELISA分别检测NLRP3和caspase-1 p20蛋白表达及IL-1β分泌水平。结果:与对照组比较, 2 mmol/L和4 mmol/L SO_2衍生物组细胞内ROS水平、 NLRP3和caspase-1 p20蛋白表达及细胞上清液中IL-1β水平明显升高(P0.05)。与2 mmol/L SO_2衍生物组比较,NLRP3 siRNA组细胞内的NLRP3和caspase-1 p20蛋白水平明显降低(P0.05),且细胞上清液中IL-1β的浓度明显下降(P0.05),ROS无明显变化;NAC组NLRP3和caspase-1 p20蛋白水平及IL-1β浓度均明显下降(P0.05)。结论:SO_2衍生物激活支气管上皮细胞NLRP3炎症小体,促进IL-1β生成。     

Pulegone inhibits inflammation via suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome and reducing cytokine production in mice

Context: Pulegone, a key compound in Schizonepeta essential oil, has been identified as an anti-inflammatory. However, its underlying molecular mechanisms on NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome have not been elucidated.

Objective: Here, the modulatory effects of pulegone on NLRP3 inflammasome were investigated.

Materials and methods: The C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into five groups: Normal, Lipopolysaccharides (LPS), Dexamethasone (DEX, 5?mg/kg), Pulegone (0.095 and 0.190?g/kg) groups. All mice were challenged by LPS except for the Normal group.

Results: A reduced expression of Interleukin-18 (IL-18), Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), Interleukin-5 (IL-5), Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), Monocyte chemoattratctant protein-1 (MCP-1), Macrophage inflammatory protein-1β (MIP-1β), Monocyte colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in serum were detected in the pulegone groups as compared to the LPS group. In addition, a reduced mRNA and protein expression production of ASC, NLRP3, and Caspase-1 were detected in lungs after pulegone administration. Histological analysis results indicated that the histological changes of lungs caused by LPS were ameliorated by pulegone. Immunohistochemical study showed a decreased positive cell numbers of P2X7R in Pulegone (0.095 and 0.190?g/kg) groups.

Conclusion: Pulegone exerts anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-induced sepsis mice via inhibition of the NLRP3 expression.     

NLRP3炎症小体与溃疡性结肠炎的研究进展

溃疡性结肠炎是肠道慢性炎性反应性疾病,遗传易感性、肠道菌群和黏膜免疫功能失调在溃疡性结肠炎的发生发展过程中起重要作用.目前研究显示NLRP3基因与溃疡性结肠炎的易感性相关,NLRP3炎症小体可维持肠道内环境稳定,对实验性结肠炎具有保护作用,其功能缺陷可能导致对溃疡性结肠炎易感.NLRP3炎症小体有可能成为溃疡性结肠炎治疗的新靶点.     

Initiation and perpetuation of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and assembly

The NLRP3 (NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3) inflammasome is a multiprotein complex that orchestrates innate immune responses to infection and cell stress through activation of caspase-1 and maturation of inflammatory cytokines pro-interleukin-1β (pro-IL-1β) and pro-IL-18. Activation of the inflammasome during infection can be protective, but unregulated NLRP3 inflammasome activation in response to non-pathogenic endogenous or exogenous stimuli can lead to unintended pathology. NLRP3 associates with mitochondria and mitochondrial molecules, and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in response to diverse stimuli requires cation flux, mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uptake, and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species accumulation. It remains uncertain whether NLRP3 surveys mitochondrial integrity and senses mitochondrial damage, or whether mitochondria simply serve as a physical platform for inflammasome assembly. The structure of the active, caspase-1-processing NLRP3 inflammasome also requires further clarification, but recent studies describing the prion-like properties of ASC have advanced the understanding of how inflammasome assembly and caspase-1 activation occur while raising new questions regarding the propagation and resolution of NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Here, we review the mechanisms and pathways regulating NLRP3 inflammasome activation, discuss emerging concepts in NLRP3 complex organization, and expose the knowledge gaps hindering a comprehensive understanding of NLRP3 activation.     

NOD1,NOD2和NLRP3炎症小体与牙髓炎

模式识别受体(pattern recognition receptors,PRRs)识别病原相关分子模式(pathogen associated molecule patterns,PAMP)激活固有免疫系统,是抵抗病原微生物入侵的第一道防线.核苷酸结合寡聚化结构域蛋白(nucleotide-binding oligomerization domains,NODs)和NOD样受体蛋白3(NODlike protein 3,NLRP3)属胞质内PRRs家族.NOD1和NOD2激活NF-κB,MAPK,JNK,p38和ERK信号通路,促进TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8和IL-12等多种炎性因子的转录表达.NLRP3炎症小体激活caspase-1,并促进IL-18和IL-1β表达.牙髓位于低顺应性根管系统中,牙髓环境环境与机体其他组织不同.目前的研究表明NOD1,NOD2和NLRP3炎症小体与牙髓固有免疫及牙髓炎的发生、发展有关.     

Sestrin1 inhibits oxidized low-density lipoprotein-induced activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages in a murine atherosclerosis model

Macrophages play a crucial role in the progression of atherosclerotic lesions. In the current study, we analyzed the expression and function of sestrin1 (SESN1) in the aorta macrophages in a murine atherosclerosis model. We identified high SESN1 expression in the aorta macrophages in atherosclerotic mice. Using lentivirus-mediated SESN1 overexpression in macrophages, we found that SESN1 inhibited oxidized low-density lipoprotein–induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-primed macrophages, as evidenced by less ASC-NLRP3 complex formation, lower caspase-1 activation, and lower generation of mature IL-1β. Besides, SESN1 impeded oxidized low-density lipoprotein–induced activation of NK-κB signaling in macrophages. Furthermore, SESN1 suppressed cholesterol crystal-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation and foam cell formation. Adoptive transfer of SESN1 overexpressing macrophages reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in infiltrating macrophages and the whole aorta tissue. Adoptive transfer of SESN1 knockdown macrophages enhanced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in infiltrating macrophages and the whole aorta tissue. Overall, our study sheds light on the significance of SESN1 for macrophage-mediated aorta inflammation.     

利拉鲁肽应用于2型糖尿病合并非酒精性脂肪肝患者的疗效及安全性分析

目的 观察利拉鲁肽治疗2型糖尿病合并非酒精性脂肪肝患者的疗效和安全性.方法 随机选择40例符合诊断标准的2型糖尿病合并NAFLD患者,口服二甲双胍,每天2次,每次1g,疗程12周,同时给予利拉鲁肽,初始剂量0.6mg,1次/d,睡前皮下注射,疗程12周.第2周调整剂量为1.2 mg/d,第3周调整为1.8 mg/d,若不能耐受则维持0.6 mg/d,症状缓解再按上述原则加量.若为非初诊治疗的患者,在纳入前停服其他药物(二甲双胍除外).比较治疗前后体重、体质指数(BMI)、空腹血糖(FPG)、餐后2h血糖(2hPG)、糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c),以及肝功指标:谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)、谷氨酰转肽酶(GGT),脂代谢及其他指标:总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C),高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C),血尿酸(UA),同时观察用药期间有无不良反应.结果 患者体重、BMI、FPG、2hPG、HbA1c均较治疗前下降(P ＜0.05);ALT、AST、GGT及SUA均较治疗前下降(P＜0.05);治疗后血脂水平(低密度脂蛋白、甘油三酯、总胆固醇)较治疗前降低,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).治疗过程中无低血糖及其他严重的不良反应.结论 利拉鲁肽治疗2型糖尿病合并NAFLD患者,可有效安全降糖,改善肝功能,同时调脂并降低体重.     

Metformin inhibition of mitochondrial ATP and DNA synthesis abrogates NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pulmonary inflammation

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Listeria monocytogenes is sensed by the NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasome

The inflammasome pathway functions to regulate caspase‐1 activation in response to a broad range of stimuli. Caspase‐1 activation is required for the maturation of the pivotal pro‐inflammatory cytokines of the pro‐IL‐1β family. In addition, caspase‐1 activation leads to a certain type of cell death known as pyroptosis. Activation of the inflammasome has been shown to play a critical role in the recognition and containment of various microbial pathogens, including the intracellularly replicating Listeria monocytogenes; however, the inflammasome pathways activated during L. monocytogenes infection are only poorly defined. Here, we demonstrate that L. monocytogenes activates both the NLRP3 and the AIM2 inflammasome, with a predominant involvement of the AIM2 inflammasome. In addition, L. monocytogenes‐triggered cell death was diminished in the absence of both AIM2 and NLRP3, and is concomitant with increased intracellular replication of L. monocytogenes. Altogether, these data establish a role for DNA sensing through the AIM2 inflammasome in the detection of intracellularly replicating bacteria.     

The NLRP3 inflammasome: A sensor of immune danger signals

The innate immune system senses danger signals via evolutionary conserved receptors. The nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat containing receptor (NLR) family is a group of intracellular receptors that drive a wide variety of inflammatory responses. A number of the NLR family members can form inflammasomes, which are multiprotein complexes that can activate caspase-1 and ultimately lead to the processing and secretion of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18 and IL-33. One of the best-studied members of the NLR family is NLRP3 for which a number of divergent activators have recently been described. These and other studies examining the NLRP3 inflammasome will be discussed in this review.     

NLRP3炎性小体在动脉粥样硬化发生发展中的作用

NLRP3炎性小体是一种包含胞内受体(主要是NOD样受体)、半胱天冬氨酸前体和凋亡相关斑点样蛋白的蛋白质复合体.该复合体最初只是被描述为一种影响感染和炎症过程的复合体,它的活化引起半胱天冬氨酶-1的激活并剪切加工底物白细胞介素-1β(interleukin-1β,IL-1β)和白细胞介素-18(interleukin-18,IL-18),从而引起炎症反应;此外,炎性小体的激活过程对有氧糖酵解(瓦伯格效应,Warburg effect)有着重要的影响,这同样可以促进炎症的发生.随后的证据表明炎性小体的活化还影响很多代谢紊乱包括动脉粥样硬化(atherosclerosis, AS)、2型糖尿病、痛风和肥胖等.本综述将探讨AS与炎症、NLRP3炎性小体活化的关联性,以及瓦伯格效应如何关联炎症反应及炎性小体的激活.     

Regulation and functions of NLRP3 inflammasome during influenza virus infection

The NLRP3 inflammasome constitutes a major antiviral host defense mechanism during influenza virus infection. Inflammasome assembly in virus-infected cells facilitates autocatalytic processing of pro-caspase-1 and subsequent cleavage and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18. The NLRP3 inflammasome is critical for induction of both innate and adaptive immune responses during influenza virus infection. Inflammasome-dependent antiviral responses also regulate immunopathology and tissue repair in the infected lungs. The regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome assembly is an area of active research and recent studies have unraveled multiple cellular and viral factors involved in inflammasome assembly. Emerging studies have also identified the cross talk between inflammasome activation and programmed cell death pathways in influenza virus-infected cells. Here, we review the current literature regarding regulation and functions of NLRP3 inflammasome during influenza virus infection.