E2-Induced Activation of the NLRP3 Inflammasome Triggers Pyroptosis and Inhibits Autophagy in HCC Cells

Emerging evidence suggests that 17β-estradiol (E2) and estrogen receptor (ER) signaling are protective against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In our previous study, we showed that E2 suppressed the carcinogenesis and progression of HCC by targeting NLRP3 inflammasome activation, whereas the molecular mechanism by which the NLRP3 inflammasome initiated cancer cell death was not elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of NLRP3 inflammasome activation on cell death pathways and autophagy of HCC cells. First, we observed an increasing mortality in E2-treated HCC cells, and then apoptotic and pyroptotic cell death were both detected. The mortality of HCC cells was largely reversed by the caspase 1 antagonist, YVAD-cmk, suggesting that E2-induced cell death was associated with caspase 1-dependent pyroptosis. Second, the key role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in autophagy of HCC cells was assessed by E2-induced activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, and we demonstrated that autophagy was inhibited by the NLRP3 inflammasome via the E2/ ERβ/AMPK/mTOR pathway. Last, the interaction of pyroptosis and autophagy was confirmed by flow cytometry methods. We observed that E2-induced pyroptosis was dramatically increased by 3-methyladenine (3-MA) treatment, which was abolished by YVAD-cmk treatment, suggesting that caspase 1-dependent pyroptosis was negatively regulated by autophagy. In conclusion, E2-induced activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome may serve as a suppressor in HCC progression, as it triggers pyroptotic cell death and inhibits protective autophagy.     

Gasdermin D-mediated hepatocyte pyroptosis expands inflammatory responses that aggravate acute liver failure by upregulating monocyte chemotactic protein 1/CC chemokine receptor-2 to recruit macrophages

BACKGROUND Massive hepatocyte death is the core event in acute liver failure(ALF).Gasdermin D(GSDMD)-mediated pyroptosis is a type of highly inflammatory cell death. However, the role of hepatocyte pyroptosis and its mechanisms of expanding inflammatory responses in ALF are unclear.AIM To investigate the role and mechanisms of GSDMD-mediated hepatocyte pyroptosis through in vitro and in vivo experiments.METHODS The expression of pyroptosis pathway-associated proteins in liver tissues from ALF patients and a hepatocyte injury model was examined by Western blot.GSDMD short hairpin RNA(sh RNA) was used to investigate the effects of downregulation of GSDMD on monocyte chemotactic protein 1(MCP1) and its receptor CC chemokine receptor-2(CCR2) in vitro. For in vivo experiments, we used GSDMD knockout mice to investigate the role and mechanism of GSDMD in a D-galactose/lipopolysaccharide(D-Galn/LPS)-induced ALF mouse model.RESULTS The levels of pyroptosis pathway-associated proteins in liver tissue from ALFpatients and a hepatocyte injury model increased significantly. The level of GSDMD-N protein increased most obviously(P 0.001). In vitro, downregulation of GSDMD by sh RNA decreased the cell inhibition rate and the levels of MCP1/CCR2 proteins(P 0.01). In vivo, GSDMD knockout dramatically eliminated inflammatory damage in the liver and improved the survival of DGaln/LPS-induced ALF mice(P 0.001). Unlike the mechanism of immune cell pyroptosis that involves releasing interleukin(IL)-1β and IL-18, GSDMDmediated hepatocyte pyroptosis recruited macrophages via MCP1/CCR2 to aggravate hepatocyte death. However, this pathological process was inhibited after knocking down GSDMD.CONCLUSION GSDMD-mediated hepatocyte pyroptosis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of ALF, recruiting macrophages to release inflammatory mediators by upregulating MCP1/CCR2 and leading to expansion of the inflammatory responses. GSDMD knockout can reduce hepatocyte death and inflammatory responses, thus alleviating ALF.     

IL-1β与IL-18在急性肺损伤中的表达及临床意义

目的 基于细胞焦亡理论研究白介素(IL)-1β与IL-18在急性肺损伤(ALI)中的表达及临床意义.方法 选取2016年1月至2017年1月在广州中医药大学第一附属医院重症医学科收治的符合ALI患者100例为观察组,期间同时招募50例健康体检者为对照组.酶联免疫法检测并比较两组受试者入组后IL-1β及IL-18的血清浓度水平,并比较观察组中存活患者与病死患者血清IL-1β与IL-18的含量.结果 观察组患者经常规治疗后,病死率为38.00%(38/100),而存活率为62.00%(62/100);入组后,两组受试者血清IL-18[(106.43±21.73)pg·mL-1 vs(174.29±36.31)pg·mL-1]与IL-1β[(62.14±15.88)pg·mL-1 vs(94.35±16.23)pg·mL-1]水平比较,对照组均明显低于观察组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);在临床结局方面,病死组和存活组患者的IL-1β[(118.32±19.52)pg·mL-1 vs(87.86±16.49)pg·mL-1]与IL-18[(195.64±36.13)pg·mL-1 vs(136.74±23.09)pg·mL-1]水平比较,病死组均明显高于存活组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 细胞焦亡是ALI患者的重要病理机制之一,ALI的发生发展和IL-1β与IL-18的参与有关.     

基于数据库构建乳腺癌焦亡相关基因的预后风险模型

目的 探究焦亡相关差异表达基因(DEGs)在乳腺癌中预后价值并构建预后风险模型。方法 从癌症基因组图谱(TCGA)和肿瘤基因表达数据库(GEO)官网下载乳腺癌的基因测序、临床数据,筛选焦亡相关DEGs。将乳腺癌患者进行聚类分析。在TCGA队列中以最小绝对收缩和选择算子(LASSO)方法建立模型。利用Kaplan-Meier生存曲线、受试者工作特征曲线(ROC)、单因素及多因素Cox回归独立预后因素分析等评价该模型。GEO队列为验证集。通过GO、KEGG、ssGSEA分析风险DEGs的富集情况。结果 筛选出焦亡相关DEGs,聚类分析可见C2组总生存期(OS)延长,差异有统计学意义(P=0.020)。该模型K-M生存分析显示,高风险组OS缩短(TCGA队列中P<0.001,GEO队列中P=0.018)。ROC曲线下面积(AUC)表明该模型具有一定预测能力。单因素、多因素Cox回归分析表明,年龄,M、N分期和风险评分为OS的独立预测因子。GO、 KEGG富集与ssGSEA分析证实了风险相关DEGs与免疫炎症因子和通路有关。结论 研究构建了由9个焦亡相关基因组成的乳腺癌预后风险模型,为乳...     

SGK1抑制剂EMD638683对膀胱出口梗阻小鼠肾组织细胞焦亡的作用及机制研究

目的:确定小鼠膀胱出口梗阻(bladder outlet obstruction,BOO)模型引起下尿路梗阻介导的肾脏炎性损伤;研究血清和糖皮质激素调节激酶1(serum and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1, SGK1)抑制剂EMD638683抗梗阻性肾病炎症的作用机制,探讨SGK1与NLRP3-caspase-1-IL-1β/细胞焦亡(pyroptosis)通路诱导细胞损伤的关系。方法:构建小鼠BOO模型,HE染色观察肾组织病理变化及炎症细胞浸润,PAS染色观察肾脏的组织病变,Masson染色法检测肾小管的胶原沉积,免疫组化法和Western blot法检测NLRP3、caspase-1、F4/80、gasdermin D-N末端片段(GSDMD-N)、IL-1β和SGK1的表达。醛固酮(aldosterone, ALD)处理小鼠肾小管上皮细胞(mouse renal tubular epithelial cells, mRTECs),EMD638683进行干预,Western blot法检测NLRP3、caspase-1、IL-1β、SGK1...     

氧糖剥夺/复氧所致细胞焦亡在肺微血管内皮细胞损伤中的作用

目的:探讨氧糖剥夺/复氧(OGD/R)是否导致人肺微血管内皮细胞(HPMVECs)焦亡及其在细胞损伤中的作用.方法:采用HPMVECs复制OGD/R细胞模型,模拟体外循环中HPMVECs缺血/再灌注过程.将细胞分为对照(control)组(正常培养)、OGD/R组(OGD 8 h+恢复12 h)及VX-765(casp...     

IL‐1β, IL‐18, and eicosanoids promote neutrophil recruitment to pore‐induced intracellular traps following pyroptosis

Inflammasomes activate caspase‐1, initiating a lytic form of programmed cell death termed pyroptosis, which is an important innate immune defense mechanism against intracellular infections. We recently demonstrated in a mouse infection model of pyroptosis that instead of releasing bacteria into the extracellular space, bacteria remain trapped within the pyroptotic cell corpse, termed the pore‐induced intracellular trap (PIT). This trapping mediates efferocytosis of the PIT and associated bacteria by neutrophils; bacteria are subsequently killed via neutrophil ROS. Using this pyroptosis model, we now show that the pro‐inflammatory cytokines IL‐1β and IL‐18 and inflammatory lipid mediators termed eicosanoids are required for effective clearance of bacteria downstream of pyroptosis. We further show that IL‐1β, IL‐18, and eicosanoids affect this in part by mediating neutrophil recruitment to the PIT. This is in addition to our prior findings that complement is also important to attract neutrophils. Thus, the PIT initiates a robust and coordinated innate immune response involving multiple mediators that attract neutrophils to efferocytose the PIT and its entrapped bacteria.     

The Gasdermin‐D pore acts as a conduit for IL‐1β secretion in mice

The pro‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐1β is well known for its role in host defense and the initiation of potent inflammatory responses. It is processed from its inactive pro‐form by the inflammatory caspase‐1 into its mature bioactive form, which is then released from the cell via an unconventional secretion mechanism. Recently, gasdermin‐D has been identified as a new target of caspase‐1. After proteolytical cleavage of gasdermin‐D, the N‐terminal fragment induces pyroptosis, a lytic cell death, by forming large permeability pores in the plasma membrane. Here we show using the murine system that gasdermin‐D is required for IL‐1β secretion by macrophages, dendritic cells and partially in neutrophils, and that secretion is a cell‐lysis‐independent event. Liposome transport assays in vitro further demonstrate that gasdermin‐D pores are large enough to allow the direct release of IL‐1β. Moreover, IL‐18 and other small soluble cytosolic proteins can also be released in a lysis‐independent but gasdermin‐D‐dependent mode, suggesting that the gasdermin‐D pores allow passive the release of cytosolic proteins in a size‐dependent manner.     

A new cell death program regulated by toll-like receptor 9 through p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway in a neonatal rat model with sepsis associated encephalopathy

Background:Sepsis, a serious condition with high mortality, usually causes sepsis associated encephalopathy (SAE) that involves neuronal cell death. However, the cell death programs involved and their underlying mechanisms are not clear. This study aimed to explore the regulatory mechanisms of different cell death programs in SAE.Methods:A neonatal rat model of SAE was established by cecal ligation and perforation. Survival rate and vital signs (mean arterial pressure and heart rate) were monitored, nerve reflexes were evaluated, and cortical pathological changes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The expression of pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis (PANoptosis)-related proteins, mitogen- activated protein kinase (MAPK), and its upstream regulator toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) were detected. The expression of TLR9 in neurons was observed by immunofluorescence staining. The ultrastructure of neurons was observed by transmission electron microscope.Results:First, PANoptosis was found in cortical nerve cells of the SAE rats. Meanwhile, the subunits of MAPKs, p38 MAPK, Jun N- terminal kinase, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) were activated. After pharmacologically inhibiting each of the subunits, only p38 MAPK was found to be associated with PANoptosis. Furthermore, blocking the p38 MAPK signaling pathway activated necroptosis but inhibited apoptosis and pyroptosis. When necroptosis was pharmacologically inhibited, apoptosis and pyroptosis were reactivated. Finally, we found that the expression of TLR9, a regulator of MAPKs, was significantly increased in this model. After down-regulation of TLR9, p38 MAPK, and ERK signaling pathways were inhibited, which led to the inhibition of PANoptosis. Further analysis found that down-regulation of TLR9 improved the survival rate and reduced the pathological changes in SAE rats.Conclusions:Our study showed that the programs comprising PANoptosis are activated simultaneously in SAE rats. TLR9 activated PANoptosis through the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. TLR9 may work as a potential target for SAE treatment.     

Hepatocyte pyroptosis and release of inflammasome particles induce stellate cell activation and liver fibrosis

1. Download : Download high-res image (187KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image