Gasdermin D in pyroptosis

The AIM2 inflammasome: A novel biomarker and target in cardiovascular disease

Absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) is a cytoplasmic sensor that recognises the double-strand DNA. AIM2 inflammasome is a protein platform in the cell that initiates innate immune responses by cleaving pro-caspase-1 and converting IL-1β and IL-18 to their mature forms. Additionally, AIM2 inflammasome promotes pyroptosis by converting Gasdermin-D (GSDMD) to GSDMD-N fragments. An increasing number of studies have indicated the important and decisive roles of the AIM2 inflammasome, IL-1β, and pyroptosis in cardiovascular diseases, such as coronary atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, ischaemia/reperfusion injury, heart failure, aortic aneurysm and ischaemic stroke. Here, we review the molecular mechanism of the activation and effect of the AIM2 inflammasome in cardiovascular disease, revealing new insights into pathogenic factors that may be targeted to treat cardiovascular disease and related dysfunctions.

Genetic and pharmacological targeting of GSDMD ameliorates systemic inflammation in macrophage activation syndrome

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), a potentially life-threatening complication of autoimmune/autoinflammatory diseases, is characterized by the excessive expansion and activation of macrophages and cytotoxic T lymphocytes in multiple organs. Most commonly, MAS occurs in patients with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis and in its adult equivalent, adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD). Gasdermin D (GSDMD) is a critical pore-forming effector protein that mediates pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion via releasing its N terminal fragments to form transmembrane pores. GSDMD has been implicated in various inflammatory diseases, however, its role in MAS remains elusive. Here, we unveiled that the serum levels of GSDMD-N were elevated in patients with AOSD compared to heathy controls. In addition, the emergence of MAS features in AOSD patients resulted in further elevation. The serum levels of GSDMD were positively correlated with ferritin and interleukin-18 (IL-18). Repeated toll-like receptor 9 stimulation with unmethylated cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) induced MAS symptoms in wild-type mice, including body weight loss, pancytopenia and hepatosplenomegaly. Genetic deletion and pharmacological inhibition of GSDMD ameliorated MAS symptoms in mice with the concomitant reduction of splenic and hepatic macrophage infiltration and IL-18 production. Consistent with these in vivo results, bone marrow-derived macrophages obtained from GSDMD^-/- mice or treated with GSDMD inhibitor disulfiram exhibited attenuated IL-18 expression after CpG stimulation. Collectively, our findings identified GSDMD as a novel marker for MAS complication and a promising target for MAS treatment.

Pyroptosis in inflammatory bone diseases: Molecular insights and targeting strategies

Inflammatory bone diseases include osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which can cause severe bone damage in a chronic inflammation state, putting tremendous pressure on the patients' families and government agencies regarding medical costs. In addition, the complexity of osteoimmunology makes research on these diseases difficult. Hence, it is urgent to determine the potential mechanisms and find effective drugs to target inflammatory bone diseases to reduce the negative effects of these diseases. Recently, pyroptosis, a gasdermin-induced necrotic cell death featuring secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and lysis, has become widely known. Based on the effect of pyroptosis on immunity, this process has gradually emerged as a vital component in the etiopathogenesis of inflammatory bone diseases. Herein, we review the characteristics and mechanisms of pyroptosis and then focus on its clinical significance in inflammatory bone diseases. In addition, we summarize the current research progress of drugs targeting pyroptosis to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of inflammatory bone diseases and provide new insights for future directions.

Pyroptosis-related lncRNAs: A novel prognosis signature of colorectal cancer

Pyroptosis is a newly discovered programmed cell death mechanism involved in tumorigenesis. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the potential role of pyroptosis-related lncRNAs (PRLs) in CRC remains unelucidated. Therefore, we retrieved transcriptomic data of CRC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). With the use of univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models and the random forest algorithm, a new risk model was constructed based on eight PRLs: Z99289.2, FENDRR, CCDC144NL-ASL, TEX41, MNX1-AS1, NKILA, LINC02798, and LINC02381. Then, according to the Kaplan-Meier plots, the relationship of PRLs with the survival of CRC patients was explored and validated with our risk model in external datasets (Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases; GEO17536, n = 177, and GSE161158, n = 250). To improve its clinical utility, a nomogram combining PRLs that could predict the clinical outcome of CRC patients was established. A full-spectrum immune landscape of CRC patients mediated by PRLs could be described. The PRLs were stratified into two molecular subtypes involved in immune modulators, immune infiltration of tumor immune microenvironment, and inflammatory pathways. Afterward, Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) and microsatellite instability (MSI) scores were analyzed. Three independent methods were applied to predict PRL-related sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs. Our comprehensive analysis of PRLs in CRC patients demonstrates a potential role of PRLs in predicting response to treatment and prognosis of CRC patients, which may provide a better understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying CRC pathogenesis and facilitate the development of effective immunotherapy.

The role of discoid domain receptor 1 on renal tubular epithelial pyroptosis in diabetic nephropathy

Pyroptosis, a form of cell death associated with inflammation, is known to be involved in diabetic nephropathy (DN), and discoid domain receptor 1 (DDR1), an inflammatory regulatory protein, is reported to be associated with diabetes. However, the mechanism underlying DDR1 regulation and pyroptosis in DN remains unknown. We aimed to investigate the effect of DDR1 on renal tubular epithelial cell pyroptosis and the mechanism underlying DN. In this study, we used high glucose (HG)-treated HK-2 cells and rats with a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin as DN models. Subsequently, the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins (cleaved caspase-1, GSDMD-N, Interleukin-1β [IL-1β], and interleukin-18 [IL-18]), DDR1, phosphorylated NF-κB (p-NF-κB), and NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes were determined through Western blotting. IL-1β and IL-18 levels were determined using ELISA. The rate of pyroptosis was assessed by propidium iodide (PI) staining. The results revealed upregulated expression of pyroptosis-related proteins and increased concentration of IL-1β and IL-18, accompanied by DDR1, p-NF-κB, and NLRP3 upregulation in DN rat kidney tissues and HG-treated HK-2 cells. Moreover, DDR1 knockdown in the background of HG treatment resulted in inhibited expression of pyroptosis-related proteins and attenuation of IL-1β and IL-18 production and PI-positive cell frequency via the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway in HK-2 cells. However, NLRP3 overexpression reversed the effect of DDR1 knockdown on pyroptosis. In conclusion, we demonstrated that DDR1 may be associated with pyroptosis, and DDR1 knockdown inhibited HG-induced renal tubular epithelial cell pyroptosis. The NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway is probably involved in the underlying mechanism of these findings.

Bibliometric and visual analysis of neutrophil extracellular traps from 2004 to 2022

Background

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are specialized structures formed by neutrophils that were initially found to be important in killing pathogenic bacteria during infection. With the development of related research, the relationship between NETs and diseases such as sepsis, cancer, and systemic lupus erythematosus has received close attention. However, there is a lack of reports that comprehensively and objectively present the current status of NETs-related studies. Therefore, this study aims to visually analyze the current status and trends of NETs-related research by means of bibliometrics and knowledge mapping.

Methods

NETs-related articles and reviews were retrieved using the Web of Science core collection subject search, and bibliometric analysis was performed in Excel 365, CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Bibliometrix (R-Tool of R-Studio).

Results

A total of 4866 publications from 2004 to 2022 were included in the bibliometric analysis. The number of publications shows an increasing trend from year to year. Collaborative network analysis shows that the United States and Germany are the most influential countries in this field, with the highest number of publications and citations. The journal with the most publications is Frontiers in Immunology. Brinkmann Volker is an authoritative author in this field, and his publication "Neutrophil extracellular traps kill bacteria" is the most frequently cited. The literature and keyword analysis shows that the relationship between NETs and diseases (hematological diseases, sepsis, cancer, etc.) and cell death (apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, etc.) is a popular research topic. Currently, NETs and SARS-CoV-2-related studies are at the forefront of the field.

Conclusion

This study is the first to visualize the research in NETs-related fields using bibliometric methods, revealing the trends and frontiers of NETs research. This study will provide valuable references for scholars to find research focus questions and partners.

Gasdermin D protects against Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus infection through macrophage pyroptosis

Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus, SEZ) is an essential zoonotic bacterial pathogen that can cause various inflammation, such as meningitis, endocarditis, and pneumonia. Gasdermin D (GSDMD) is involved in cytokine release and cell death, indicating an important role in controlling the microbial infection. This study investigated the protective role of GSDMD in mice infected with SEZ and examined the role of GSDMD in peritoneal macrophages in the infection. GSDMD-deficient mice were more susceptible to intraperitoneal infection with SEZ, and the white pulp structure of the spleen was seriously damaged in GSDMD-deficient mice. Although the increased proportion of macrophages did not depend on GSDMD in both spleen and peritoneal lavage fluid (PLF), deficiency of GSDMD caused the minor release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) during the infection in vivo. In vitro, SEZ infection induced more release of IL-1β, IL-18, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in wild-type macrophages than in GSDMD-deficient macrophages. Finally, we demonstrated that pore formation and pyroptosis of macrophages depended on GSDMD. Our findings highlight the host defense mechanisms of GSDMD against SEZ infection, providing a potential therapeutic target in SEZ infection.

The potential mechanism of huazhuojiedu decoction in the treatment of ulcerative colitis based on network pharmacology and experimental validation

Huazhuojiedu decoction (HZJDD), a traditional Chinese medicine prescription, has been clinically proven to be an effective treatment for ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the mechanism of HZJDD in the treatment of UC remains unclear. This study combined network pharmacology with experimental validation to explore the potential mechanism of HZJDD on UC. First, the relationship network diagrams between HZJDD and UC were established based on multiple databases. Then, the HZJDD-UC intersection genes target network was constructed and Gene Ontology-Biological processes (GO-BP) analysis was performed to discover the potential pharmacological mechanism. Finally, the results of GO-BP were verified in dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS) induced UC rats. The network pharmacology results showed that 119 active components and 146 potential targets were screened for HZJDD, and six of the top 15 biological processes belonged to inflammatory response, cellular response to hypoxia, and cellular response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The GO-BP results indicated that the mechanism of HZJDD treatment of UC was related to inflammation, oxidative stress, and the regulation of LPS. Animal experiments showed that HZJDD could significantly reduce the disease activity index (DAI) score, improve colon length, and effectively repair the histomorphological and micromorphological changes in DSS-induced UC rats. Moreover, HZJDD reduced the expressions of CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, LPS, IL-1β, and IL-18; downregulated the activity of MDA; and upregulated the activities of CAT, GSH, and SOD in DSS-induced UC rats. Furthermore, HZJDD suppressed the expression of the NLRP3/caspase-1 signaling pathway at the gene and protein levels to inhibit pyroptosis. Network pharmacology and animal experiments showed that HZJDD exerted a therapeutic effect on DSS-induced UC rats by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and restraining the NLRP3/caspase-1 signaling pathway to inhibit pyroptosis.

Bulk and Single-Cell Transcriptome Analyses Revealed That the Pyroptosis of Glioma-Associated Macrophages Participates in Tumor Progression and Immunosuppression

Glioma is the most common of all central nervous system (CNS) malignancies and is associated with a poor prognosis. Pyroptosis has been proven to be associated with the progression of multiple tumors and CNS diseases. However, the relationships between pyroptosis and clinical prognosis and immune cell infiltration are unclear in glioma. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive exploration of pyroptosis in glioma. First, prognosis-related genes were screened at each key regulatory locus in the pyroptosis pathway, and the prognostic ability and coexpression relationships of GSDMD and its upstream pathway genes NLRC4/CASP1/CASP4 were identified and well validated in multiple datasets. Tissue microarray-based immunohistochemistry results showed higher levels of NLRC4 and N-terminal GSDMD in high-grade gliomas, providing conclusive evidence of pyroptosis in gliomas. The robustness of the prognostic model based on these four genes was well validated in TCGA and CGGA cohorts. Bulk RNA-seq-based analysis showed that the group defined as the high-risk group according to the model showed activation of multiple inflammatory response pathways and impaired synaptic gene expression and had a higher infiltration of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and a hypersuppressed immune microenvironment. More importantly, three independent single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) datasets demonstrated that tumor-infiltrating macrophages, particularly BMDMs but not tissue-resident microglia, showed significant coexpression of the GSDMD and CASP genes, and BMDMs from high-grade gliomas accounted for a higher proportion of immune infiltrating cells and had higher expression of pyroptosis genes. Finally, we revealed the activation of pathways in response to LPS/bacteria and oxidative stress during BMDM development toward the pyroptosis cell fate by pseudotime trajectory analysis, suggesting potential BMDM pyroptosis initiators. The above results provide not only novel insights into the pathological mechanisms of glioma but also novel therapeutic targets for glioma, suggesting the potential application of pyroptosis inhibitors (e.g., disulfiram).

Oxidative stress-triggered pyroptosis mediates Candida albicans susceptibility in diabetic foot

An accumulating trend of research demonstrates that diabetic patients are susceptible to skin infections with Candida albicans, but the mechanism still remains unclear. The intense oxidative stress (OS) responses were occurred in the lesion of diabetic mice footpads after C. albicans infection. Localised skin infections would lead to more severe complications while the severity of the condition worsens or the inadequate treatment. Notably, in this study, through the investigation of murine diabetic footpad C. albicans infection model and molecular biotechnology, including histopathological staining, immunofluorescence (IF) staining, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), western blot (WB), flow cytometry (FCM), sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assays, we found that intense OS responses in the footpad tissue not only mediated the activation of NF-κB protein complex, but also triggered downstream pyroptosis and apoptosis through NLRP3 inflammasome, which is one of the potential reasons for the severe condition of infectious skin injuries in diabetic mice. Caspase-1, a classical signal pathway protein in pyroptosis, could promote pore formation on cell membranes and the release of the cytokine after NLRP3 inflammasome activation. With intense immune-inflammatory responses, the organism also stimulates immune organs such as the spleen and lymph nodes to produce negative feedback regulation and generate CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ Treg cells to rectify the process. Therefore, combined with the results of this work, it is possible to design and screen relevant drugs for NLRP3 inflammasomes as core targets to keep the OS response at a low level in the footpad tissues.

KDM3A Attenuates Myocardial Ischemic and Reperfusion Injury by Ameliorating Cardiac Microvascular Endothelial Cell Pyroptosis

Cardiac microvascular endothelial cell ischemia-reperfusion (CMEC I/R) injury occurs in approximately 50% of acute myocardial infarction patients subjected to successful revascularization therapy. This injury leads to cardiac microcirculatory system dysfunctions, which seriously affect cardiac functions and long-term prognostic outcomes. Previously, we elucidated the role of lysine-specific demethylase 3A (KDM3A) in protecting cardiomyocytes from I/R injury; however, its roles in CMEC I/R injuries have yet to be fully established. In this study, hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) treatment significantly impaired CMEC functions and induced their pyroptosis, accompanied by KDM3A downregulation. Then, gain- and loss-of-function assays were performed to investigate the roles of KDM3A in CMEC H/R injury in vitro. KDM3A knockout enhanced CMEC malfunctions and accelerated the expressions of pyroptosis-associated proteins, such as NLRP3, cleaved-caspase-1, ASC, IL-1β, GSDMD-N, and IL-18. Conversely, KDM3A overexpression developed ameliorated alternations in CMEC H/R injury. In vivo, KDM3A knockout resulted in the deterioration of cardiac functions and decreased the no-reflow area as well as capillary density. Mechanistically, KDM3A activated the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and ameliorated I/R-mediated CMEC pyroptosis. In conclusion, KDM3A is a promising treatment target for alleviating CMEC I/R injury.

Gasdermin D: A potential mediator and prognostic marker of bladder cancer

Background: Bladder cancer is considered one of the commonest widespread cancers, its presentation ranges from non-muscle invasive form to being muscle-invasive. The gasdermin family of proteins consists of six proteins. Members of gasdermin family are involved in pyroptosis; which is considered as type of inflammatory apoptosis via participation of gasdermin D and inflammatory caspases.

Purpose: The goal of this research was to look into the potential involvement of gasdermin D in pathogenesis of bladder cancer, In addition, to investigate its potential role as a prognostic marker of bladder cancer.

Methods: Gasdermin D gene and protein expression was examined in fresh frozen 80 bladder cancer specimens (30 NMIBC, and 50 MIBC) and the matching 80 control tissue samples utilizing real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Furthermore, the immunoreactivity of gasdermin D protein was also detected by immunohistochemistry.

Results: Gasdermin D gene and protein expression showed a highly significant difference between the control and the two bladder cancer groups (p < 0.001), as demonstrated by real-time PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Cox proportional hazards regression models showed that lower gasdermin D gene expression in cancer patients (≤1.58-fold), and younger age (≤53 years) were linked with a higher risk of local tumor recurrence. Moreover, higher gasdermin D gene expression (>2.18-fold), and lymph nodes’ involvement were associated with an increased mortality.

Conclusion: Gasdermin D is involved in the pathogenesis of bladder cancer and muscle invasion, in addition, tissue gasdermin D expression may be used as useful tool to predict local tumor recurrence.

Glucocorticoid induces GSDMD-dependent pyrolysis in PC12 cells via endoplasmic reticulum stress

Objective

The present study explored whether pyroptosis is involved in the injury process of PC12 cells induced by glucocorticoid (GC) and the regulatory relationship between endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and pyrolysis.

Methods

LDH leakage of PC12 cells was detected by LDH assay. The number of dead cells was detected by SYTOX green nucleic acid staining. The levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in the supernatants was detected by ELSIA assay. The expression levels of glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78), cleaved gasdermin D-NT (cleaved-GSDMD-NT), NLR-pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) and cleaved-caspase-1 were observed by immunofluorescence staining and western blot.

Results

The LDH assay revealed that GC exposure significantly increased the release of LDH. The results of SYTOX green acid staining showed that GC exposure significantly increased the number of SYTOX green acid-positive cells. The ELSIA assay revealed that GC exposure significantly increased the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in the supernatants. The results of immunofluorescence staining and western blot showed that GC exposure significantly increased the expression of GRP78, cleaved-GSDMD-NT, NLRP3 and cleaved caspase-1. Treatment with the ERS inhibitor tauroursodeoxycholate (TUDCA) and siRNA GSDMD attenuated related damage and downregulated the expression of the abovementioned proteins.

Conclusion

The present study clearly demonstrated that GC exposure can induce GSDMD-dependent pyrolysis, and ERS is involved in the above damage process.

Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Bioinformatics, Microneedle, and Diabetic Wound Healing: A "New Deal" of an Old Drug

Diabetic wounds severely influence life, facing grand challenges in clinical treatments. The demand for better treatment is growing dramatically. Diabetic wound healing is challenging because of inflammation, angiogenesis disruptions, and tissue remodeling. Based on sequencing results of diabetic patients' skins and artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted bioinformatics, we excavate a potential therapeutic agent Trichostatin A (TSA) and a potential target histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) for diabetic wound healing. The molecular docking simulation reveals the favorable interaction between TSA and HDAC4. Taking advantage of the microneedle (MN) minimally invasive way to pierce the skin barrier for drug administration, we develop a swelling modified MN-mediated patch loaded with TSA to reduce the probability of injection-caused iatrogenic secondary damage. The MN-mediated TSA patch has been demonstrated to reduce inflammation, promote tissue regeneration, and inhibit HDAC4, which provides superior results in diabetic wound healing. We envisage that our explored specific drug TSA and the related MN-mediated drug delivery system can provide an innovative approach for diabetic wound treatment with simple, effective, and safe features and find a broad spectrum of applications in related biomedical fields.

Propionate and butyrate attenuate macrophage pyroptosis and osteoclastogenesis induced by CoCrMo alloy particles

BACKGROUND

Wear particles-induced osteolysis is a major long-term complication after total joint arthroplasty. Up to now, there is no effective treatment for wear particles-induced osteolysis except for the revision surgery, which is a heavy psychological and economic burden to patients. A metabolite of gut microbiota, short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), has been reported to be beneficial for many chronic inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of SCFAs on osteolysis.

METHODS

A model of inflammatory osteolysis was established by applying CoCrMo alloy particles to mouse calvarium. After two weeks of intervention, the anti-inflammatory effects of SCFAs on wear particle-induced osteolysis were evaluated by Micro-CT analysis and immunohistochemistry staining. In vitro study, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) primed bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and Tohoku Hospital Pediatrics-1 (THP-1) macrophages were stimulated with CoCrMo particles to activate inflammasome in the presence of acetate (C2), propionate (C3), and butyrate (C4). Western blotting, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunofluorescence were used to detect the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. The effects of SCFAs on osteoclasts were evaluate by qRT-PCR, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. Additionally, histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, agonists of GPR41, GPR43, and GPR109A were applied to confirm the underlying mechanism of SCFAs on the inflammasome activation of macrophages and osteoclastogenesis.

RESULTS

C3 and C4 but not C2 could alleviate wear particles-induced osteolysis with fewer bone erosion pits (P < 0.001), higher level of bone volume to tissue volume (BV/TV, P < 0.001), bone mineral density (BMD, P < 0.001), and a lower total porosity (P < 0.001). C3 and C4 prevented CoCrMo alloy particles-induced ASC speck formation and nucleation-induced oligomerization, suppressing the cleavage of caspase-1 (P < 0.05) and IL-1β (P < 0.05) stimulated by CoCrMo alloy particles. C3 and C4 also inhibited the generation of Gasdermin D-N-terminal fragment (GSDMD-NT) to regulate pyroptosis. Besides, C3 and C4 have a negative impact on osteoclast differentiation (P < 0.05) and its function (P < 0.05), affecting the podosome arrangement and morphologically normal podosome belts formation.

CONCLUSION

Our work showed that C3 and C4 are qualified candidates for the treatment of wear particle-induced osteolysis.

Evidence of pyroptosis and ferroptosis extensively involved in autoimmune diseases at the single-cell transcriptome level

BACKGROUND

Approximately 8-9% of the world's population is affected by autoimmune diseases, and yet the mechanism of autoimmunity trigger is largely understudied. Two unique cell death modalities, ferroptosis and pyroptosis, provide a new perspective on the mechanisms leading to autoimmune diseases, and development of new treatment strategies.

METHODS

Using scRNA-seq datasets, the aberrant trend of ferroptosis and pyroptosis-related genes were analyzed in several representative autoimmune diseases (psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, multiple sclerosis, systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease, Crohn's disease, and experimental autoimmune orchitis). Cell line models were also assessed using bulk RNA-seq and qPCR.

RESULTS

A substantial difference was observed between normal and autoimmune disease samples involving ferroptosis and pyroptosis. In the present study, ferroptosis and pyroptosis showed an imbalance in different keratinocyte lineages of psoriatic skinin addition to a unique pyroptosis-sensitive keratinocyte subset in atopic dermatitis (AD) skin. The results also revealed that pyroptosis and ferroptosis are involved in epidermal melanocyte destruction in vitiligo. Aberrant ferroptosis has been detected in multiple sclerosis, systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease, Crohn's disease, and autoimmune orchitis. Cell line models adopted in the study also identified pro-inflammatory factors that can drive changes in ferroptosis and pyroptosis.

CONCLUSION

These results provide a unique perspective on the involvement of ferroptosis and pyroptosis in the pathological process of autoimmune diseases at the scRNA-seq level. IFN-γ is a critical inducer of pyroptosis sensitivity, and has been identified in two cell line models.

miR-181a-5p Inhibits Pyroptosis in Sepsis-Induced Acute Kidney Injury through Downregulation of NEK7

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by the uncontrolled inflammation, easily affecting the kidney. Sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (S-AKI) has high morbidity and mortality, of which the pathophysiological mechanisms have not been completely illuminated, leading to nonspecific therapies. Specific microRNAs were related with the pathogenesis of AKI. However, only limited studies focused on the pyroptosis in the context of S-AKI. The in vitro LPS-induced HK-2 cell model and in vivo CLP-induced mouse model were established. qRT-PCR, Western blot, ELISA, and RNA pulldown were used for expression examination. Multiple biological databases were used for miRNA screening. H&E staining and IHC staining were performed. The LPS-induced HK-2 cells showed significantly increased (P < 0.01) fluorescence intensity of N-GSDMD and ASC compared with the HK-2 cells. The expression of NLRP3, NEK7, ASC, active caspase-1, and N-GSDMD was significantly enhanced (P < 0.05) and the inflammatory factors including IL-18, IL-1β, and THF-α were all increased in LPS-induced HK-2 cells and CLP-induced mice. Renal edema, serum Cr and BUN, and expression of KIM-1 and NGAL were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in CLP-induced S-AKI mice than the sham group. miR-101-3p, miR-144-3p, miR-181a-5p, miR-4262, and miR-513b-5p could inhibit NEK7. NEK7 is an interacting protein of miRNA-181a-5p. miR-181a-5p inhibits pyroptosis of the LPS-induced HK-2 cells through downregulation of NEK7. Pyroptosis of HK-2 cells promotes inflammation. miR-181a-5p inhibits pyroptosis through downregulation of NEK7 in LPS-induced HK-2 cells and CLP-induced mice. Our study indicated miR-181a-5p as a new potential therapeutic target for S-AKI therapy.

The Significance of NLRP Inflammasome in Neuropsychiatric Disorders

The NLRP inflammasome is a multi-protein complex which mainly consists of the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat, and pyrin domain. Its activation is linked to microglial-mediated neuroinflammation and partial neuronal degeneration. Many neuropsychiatric illnesses have increased inflammatory responses as both a primary cause and a defining feature. The NLRP inflammasome inhibition delays the progression and alleviates the deteriorating effects of neuroinflammation on several neuropsychiatric disorders. Evidence on the central effects of the NLRP inflammasome potentially provides the scientific base of a promising drug target for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders. This review elucidates the classification, composition, and functions of the NLRP inflammasomes. It also explores the underlying mechanisms of NLRP inflammasome activation and its divergent role in neuropsychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, depression, drug use disorders, and anxiety. Furthermore, we explore the treatment potential of the NLRP inflammasome inhibitors against these disorders.

The Potential Mechanism of HDAC1-Catalyzed Histone Crotonylation of Caspase-1 in Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer

Nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a predominant subtype of lung cancer and accounts for over 80% of all lung cancer cases. The resistance to pemetrexed (PEM) is frequently occurred and severely affects the NSCLC therapy. Proteomic analysis of histones indicated that the histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) complex could hydrolyze lysine crotonylation on histone3 (H3K18cr), affecting epigenetic regulation in cancers. However, the effect of HDAC1-mediated H3K18cr on the PEM resistance of NSCLC is still unclear. Here, we aimed to explore the function of HDAC1-mediated H3K18cr in NSCLC PEM resistance. The expression of HDAC1 was upregulated in clinical NSCLC tissues and cell lines and correlated with the poor prognosis of NSCLC samples. We constructed the PEM-resistant NSCLC cell lines, and the depletion of HDAC1 remarkably reduced the viability of the cells. The proliferation of PEM-resistant NSCLC cells was decreased by HDAC1 knockdown, and the IC50 of PEM was repressed by the silencing of HDAC1 in the cells. Mechanically, we identified the enrichment of HDAC1 on the promoter of caspase-1 in PEM-resistant NSCLC cells. The depletion of HDAC1 inhibited the enrichment of histone H3K18cr and RNA polymerase II (RNA pol II) on the caspase-1 promoter in the cells. The expression of caspase-1 was suppressed by HDAC1 knockdown. The knockdown of HDAC1 reduced proliferation of PEM-resistant NSCLC cells, in which caspase-1 or GSDMD depletion reversed the effect. Clinically, the HDAC1 expression was negatively associated with caspase-1 and GSDMD in clinical NSCLC tissues, while caspase-1 and GSDMD expression was positively correlated in the samples. Therefore, we concluded that HDAC1-catalyzed histone crotonylation of caspase-1 modulates PEM sensitivity of NSCLC by targeting GSDMD.

Transcriptomics-based analysis of co-exposure of cadmium (Cd) and 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) indicates mitochondrial dysfunction induces NLRP3 inflammasome and inflammatory cell death in renal tubular epithelial cells

Environmental pollution often releases multiple contaminants resulting in as yet largely uncharacterized additive toxicities. Cadmium (Cd) is a widespread pollutant that induces nephrotoxicity in animal models and humans. However, the combined effect of Cd in causing nephrotoxicity with 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47), a typical congener of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), has not been evaluated and mechanisms are not completely clear. Here, we applied transcriptome sequencing analysis to investigate the combined toxicity of Cd and BDE-47 in the renal tubular epithelial cell lines HKCs. Cd or BDE-47 exposure decreased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, and exhibited cell swelling and rounding similar to necrosis, which was exacerbated by co-exposure. Transcriptomic analysis revealed 2191, 1331 and 3787 differentially-expressed genes following treatment with Cd, BDE-47 and co-exposure, respectively. Interestingly, functional annotation and enrichment analyses showed involvement of pathways for oxidative stress, NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and inflammatory cell death for all three treatments. Examination of indices of mitochondrial function and oxidative stress in HKC cells showed that the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA) and intracellular calcium ion concentration [Ca²⁺]i were elevated, while superoxide dismutase (SOD) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were decreased. The ratio of apoptotic and necrotic cells and intracellular lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release were increased by Cd or BDE-47 exposure, and was aggravated by co-exposure, and was attenuated by ROS scavenger N-Acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). NLRP3 inflammasome and pyroptosis pathway-related genes of NLRP3, adaptor molecule apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC), caspase-1, interleukin-18 (IL-18) and IL-1β were elevated, while gasdermin D (GSDMD) was down-regulated, and protein levels of NLRP3, cleaved caspase-1 and cleaved GSDMD were increased, most of which were relieved by NAC. Our data demonstrate that exposure to Cd and BDE-47 induces mitochondrial dysfunction and triggers NLRP3 inflammasome and GSDMD-dependent pyroptosis leading to nephrotoxicity, and co-exposure exacerbates this effect, which could be attenuated by inhibiting ROS. This study provides a further mechanistic understanding of kidney damage, and co-exposure impact is worthy of concern and should be considered to improve the accuracy of environmental health assessment.

Recurrent Hypoglycemia Impaired Vascular Function in Advanced T2DM Rats by Inducing Pyroptosis

Background

Hypoglycemia is a dangerous side effect of intensive glucose control in diabetes. Even though it leads to adverse cardiovascular events, the effects of hypoglycemia on vascular biology in diabetes have not been adequately studied.

Methods

Aged Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high-fat diet and given streptozotocin to induce type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Acute and recurrent hypoglycemia were then induced by glucose via insulin administration. Vascular function, oxidative stress, and pyroptosis levels in aortic tissue were assessed by physiological and biochemical methods.

Results

Hypoglycemia was associated with a marked decrease in vascular function, elevated oxidative stress, and elevated pyroptosis levels in the thoracic aorta. The changes in oxidative stress and pyroptosis were greater in rats with recurrent hypoglycemia than in those with acute hypoglycemia.

Conclusions

Hypoglycemia impaired vascular function in aged rats with T2DM by inducing pyroptosis. The extent of injury increased with the duration of blood glucose fluctuation.

The NLRP3 Inflammasome as a Novel Therapeutic Target for Cardiac Fibrosis

Cardiac fibrosis often has adverse cardiovascular effects, including heart failure, sudden death, and malignant arrhythmias. However, there is no targeted therapy for cardiac fibrosis. Inflammation is known to play a crucial role in the disorder, and the NLR pyrin domain-containing-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is closely associated with innate immunity. Therefore, further understanding the pathophysiological role of the inflammasome in cardiac fibrosis may provide novel strategies for the prevention and treatment of the disorder. The aim of this review was to summarize the present knowledge of NLRP3 inflammasome-related mechanisms underlying cardiac fibrosis and to suggest potential targeted therapy that could be used to treat the condition.

Quercetin Protects Ethanol-Induced Hepatocyte Pyroptosis via Scavenging Mitochondrial ROS and Promoting PGC-1α-Regulated Mitochondrial Homeostasis in L02 Cells

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a multifaceted process that involves excessive lipid, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, unbalanced mitochondrial homeostasis, and ultimate cell death. Quercetin is a dietary phytochemical presented in various fruits and vegetables, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. According to recent advances in pharmanutritional management, the effects of quercetin on various mitochondrial processes have attracted attention. In the study, we explored whether quercetin could attenuate ethanol-induced hepatocyte pyroptosis by maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis and studied its hepatoprotective effect and the underlying mechanism. We chose L02 cells to establish an in vitro model with ethanol-induced hepatocyte pyroptosis. Then, the cells at approximately 80% confluence were treated with quercetin (80, 40, and 20 μM). The cell viability (CCK-8) was used to investigate the effect of quercetin on ethanol-induced L02 cell proliferation. Relative assay kits were used to measure oxidative stress index (OSI = TOS/TAS), lipid peroxidation (LPO) release, and mitochondrial membrane potential (δΨm). The morphology of mitochondria was characterized by transmission electron microscopy- (TEM-) based analysis. Mitochondrial dynamics (Mito Tracker Green), mitROS (MitoSOX Red Mitochondrial Superoxide) production, and nuclear DNA (nDNA) damage (γH2AX) markers were detected by immunofluorescence. The mRNA levels of mitochondrial function (including mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) transcription genes TWNK, MTCO1, and MFND) and pyroptosis-related genes were detected by RT-qPCR, and the protein levels of NLRP3, ASC, caspase1, cleaved-caspase1, IL-18, IL-1β, and GSDMD-N were detected by western blot. The results showed that quercetin treatment downregulated redox status, lipid droplets, and LPO release, restored damaged mitochondrial membrane potential, and repaired mtDNA damage, PGC-1α nuclear transfer, and mitochondrial dynamics. The gene and protein expressions of NLRP3, ASC, cleaved-caspase1, IL-18, IL-1β, and GSDMD-N were decreased, which effectively inhibited cell pyroptosis. Therefore, the results indicated that quercetin protected ethanol-induced hepatocyte pyroptosis via scavenging mitROS and promoting PGC-1α-mediated mitochondrial homeostasis in L02 cells.

Lactobacillus pentosus Alleviates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Neuronal Pyroptosis via Promoting BIRC3-Mediated Inactivation of NLRC4

Objective

Neurodegenerative disease is a common neurodegenerative disorder. Lactobacillus pentosus (L. pentosus) plays a neuron-protective role. This study aimed to investigate the effects of L. pentosus on neurodegenerative diseases.

Methods

Cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to establish neurodegenerative diseases model in vivo and with L. pentosus strain S-PT84. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was applied to determine mRNA levels. Western blot was performed to detect protein expression. Cellular behaviors were detected using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), flow cytometry, and TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. The interaction between baculoviral IAP repeat containing 3 (BIRC3) and NLR family CARD domain containing 4 (NLRC4) was predicted by STING and verified by western blot.

Result

L. pentosus suppressed LPS-induced pyroptosis and promoted the cell viability of neurons. Additionally, L. pentosus suppressed the release of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and IL-18) and the protein expression of pyroptosis biomarkers (cleaved caspase1 (CL-CASP1) and N-terminal fragment gasdermin D (GSDMD-N)). Moreover, L. pentosus upregulated BIRC3, which induced the inactivation of NLRC4. However, BIRC3 knockdown alleviated the effects of L. pentosus and induced neuronal degeneration.

Conclusion

L. pentosus may play a neuron-protective role via regulating BIRC3/NLRC4 signaling pathways. Therefore, L. pentosus may be a promising strategy for neurodegenerative diseases.

Role of Pyroptosis in Gynecological Oncology and Its Therapeutic Regulation

With the continuous advances in molecular biotechnology, many new cell death methods have been discovered. Pyroptosis is a programmed cell death process that differs from apoptosis and autophagy in cell morphology and function. Compared with apoptosis and autophagy, pyroptosis is primarily mediated by intracellular inflammasome and gasdermin D of the gasdermin protein family and involves the release of numerous inflammatory factors. Pyroptosis has been found to be involved in the occurrence and development of infectious diseases and other diseases involving the nervous system and the cardiovascular system. Recent studies have also reported the occurrence of pyroptosis in tumor cells. Accordingly, exploring its effect on tumors has become one of the research hotspots. Herein, recent research progress on pyroptosis is reviewed, especially its role in the development of gynecological tumors. As the pathogenesis of gynecological tumor is better understood, new targets have been introduced for the prevention and clinical treatment of gynecological tumors.

Polyphenols, flavonoids and inflammasomes: the role of cigarette smoke in COPD

COPD is predicted to become the third leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide by 2030. Cigarette smoking (active or passive) is one of its chief causes, with about 20% of cigarette smokers developing COPD from cigarette smoke (CS)-induced irreversible damage and sustained inflammation of the airway epithelium. Inflammasome activation leads to the cleavage of pro-interleukin (IL)-1β and pro-IL-18, along with the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines via gasdermin D N-terminal fragment membrane pores, which further triggers acute phase pro-inflammatory responses and concurrent pyroptosis. There is currently intense interest in the role of nucleotide-binding oligomerisation domain-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing protein-3 inflammasomes in chronic inflammatory lung diseases such as COPD and their potential for therapeutic targeting. Phytochemicals including polyphenols and flavonoids have phyto-medicinal benefits in CS-COPD. Here, we review published articles from the last decade regarding the known associations between inflammasome-mediated responses and ameliorations in pre-clinical manifestations of CS-COPD via polyphenol and flavonoid treatment, with a focus on the underlying mechanistic insights. This article will potentially assist the development of drugs for the prevention and therapy of COPD, particularly in cigarette smokers.

This review compiles current investigations into the role of polyphenols/flavonoids in the alleviation of cigarette smoke-induced inflammasome; notably it provides a promising hit for rectifying the treatment of COPD.https://bit.ly/36OcUO9

Glial Cells and Brain Diseases: Inflammasomes as Relevant Pathological Entities

Inflammation mediated by the innate immune system is a physiopathological response to diverse detrimental circumstances such as microbe infections or tissular damage. The molecular events that underlie this response involve the assembly of multiprotein complexes known as inflammasomes. These assemblages are essentially formed by a stressor-sensing protein, an adapter protein and a non-apoptotic caspase (1 or 11). The coordinated aggregation of these components mediates the processing and release of pro-inflammatory interleukins (IL-β and IL-18) and cellular death by pyroptosis induction. The inflammatory response is essential for the defense of the organism; for example, it triggers tissue repair and the destruction of pathogen microbe infections. However, when inflammation is activated chronically, it promotes diverse pathologies in the lung, liver, brain and other organs. The nervous system is one of the main tissues where the inflammatory process has been characterized, and its implications in health and disease are starting to be understood. Thus, the regulation of inflammasomes in specific cellular types of the central nervous system needs to be thoroughly understood to innovate treatments for diverse pathologies. In this review, the presence and participation of inflammasomes in pathological conditions in different types of glial cells will be discussed.

Astragaloside IV alleviates PM2.5-caused lung toxicity by inhibiting inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis via NLRP3/caspase-1 axis inhibition in mice

Exposure to particulate matter (PM)2.5 in air pollution is a serious health issue worldwide. At present, effective prevention measures and modalities of treatment for PM2.5-caused lung toxicity are lacking. This study elucidated the protective effect of astragaloside IV (Ast), a natural product from Astragalus membranaceous Bunge, against PM2.5-caused lung toxicity and its possible molecular mechanisms. The mice model of lung toxicity was performed by intratracheal instillation of PM2.5 dust suspension. The investigation was performed with Ast or in combination with nigericin, which is a NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) activator. The results revealed that PM2.5 lead significant lung inflammation and promoted the pyroptosis pattern of cell death by upregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and causing oxidative stress related to the NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis pathway. Ast protected against PM2.5 resulted lung toxicity via suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis via NLRP3/caspase-1 axis inhibition, thereby protecting the lung against PM2.5-induced lung inflammation and oxidative damage, eventually resulting in prolonged survival in mice. Nigericin partially reversed the protective effects of Ast. The present research provides new insights into the therapeutic potential of Ast, demonstrating that it might be a possible candidate for the prevention of PM2.5-caused respiratory diseases. Targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome might be a novel therapeutic tactic for PM2.5-caused respiratory diseases.

The NLRP3 inflammasome: molecular activation and regulation in spermatogenesis and male infertility; a systematic review

Background

Infertility related to varicocele, infections, metabolic dysfunctions, oxidative stress and environmental toxicants is also associated with inflammatory processes that ultimately lead to the activation of the inflammasome pathway (IP). IP is classically activated by DAMPs, MAMPs or LAMPs, which stand for Damage-, Microbe- or Lifestyle-Associated Molecular Patterns, respectively. The most important player in IP activation is the NLRP3 (NOD[Nuclear oligomerization domain]-, LRR[Leucine rich repeat]- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3) which functions as an intracellular sensor of D/M/L-AMPs resulting in activation of caspase-1, promotion of apoptosis, pyroptosis and generation of inflammatory cytokines. This review addresses the question of whether IP activation might be associated with male infertility situations.

Results & conclusions

We conducted a systematic review of articles published in the Google Scholar, and PubMed databases through October 2021. It turns out that inflammasome activation and its consequences including cytokine storms, apoptosis and pyroptosis could be associated with the reduced sperm count as well as the structural and functional sperm defects recorded in several situations associated with male infertility suggesting that anti-inflammatory therapeutic strategies could be possibly considered to restore male fertility in future research.

Reovirus Activated Cell Death Pathways

Mammalian orthoreoviruses (ReoV) are non-enveloped viruses with segmented double-stranded RNA genomes. In humans, ReoV are generally considered non-pathogenic, although members of this family have been proven to cause mild gastroenteritis in young children and may contribute to the development of inflammatory conditions, including Celiac disease. Because of its low pathogenic potential and its ability to efficiently infect and kill transformed cells, the ReoV strain Type 3 Dearing (T3D) is clinical trials as an oncolytic agent. ReoV manifests its oncolytic effects in large part by infecting tumor cells and activating programmed cell death pathways (PCDs). It was previously believed that apoptosis was the dominant PCD pathway triggered by ReoV infection. However, new studies suggest that ReoV also activates other PCD pathways, such as autophagy, pyroptosis, and necroptosis. Necroptosis is a caspase-independent form of PCD reliant on receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) and its substrate, the pseudokinase mixed-lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL). As necroptosis is highly inflammatory, ReoV-induced necroptosis may contribute to the oncolytic potential of this virus, not only by promoting necrotic lysis of the infected cell, but also by inflaming the surrounding tumor microenvironment and provoking beneficial anti-tumor immune responses. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of the ReoV replication cycle, the known and potential mechanisms by which ReoV induces PCD, and discuss the consequences of non-apoptotic cell death—particularly necroptosis—to ReoV pathogenesis and oncolysis.

Ablation of GSDMD Attenuates Neurological Deficits and Neuropathological Alterations After Traumatic Brain Injury

Pyroptosis plays a significant role in neuroinflammation after traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the role of pyroptosis executor Gasdermin D (GSDMD) in neurological deficits and neuropathological alterations after TBI have not been elucidated. Our results demonstrated that GSDMD-KO exerted striking neuroprotective effects on motor dysfunction and neuropathological alterations (loss of synaptic proteins, microglia activation, astrogliosis, dendrite injury, and neuron death) at 3 days after TBI. GSDMD-KO inhibited the expression and release of pro-inflammatory cytokine releases (IL-1β and TNF-α) while promoting those of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10 and TGF-β1). The temporal pattern of diverse inflammasome signals showed long-lasting elevations of NLRP3, caspase 1, and caspase 1 p20 after TBI, rather than NLRP1, NLRC4 or AIM2, similar to the change in GSDMD postinjury; and NLRP3-KO not only inhibited the expression and cleavage of GSDMD but also attenuated the loss of synaptic proteins and neurological deficits. Notably, RNA sequencing showed both GSDMD-KO and NLRP3-KO reversed the global expression of neuroinflammation- and neuropathology-related genes after TBI. Our findings proved that the inhibition of GSDMD exerts neuroprotective effects after TBI and is mainly driven by the NLRP3 inflammasome. GSDMD serves as a potent therapeutic target for the treatment of TBI.

Role of Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter 2 Inhibitors in the Regulation of Inflammatory Processes in Animal Models

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors, also known as gliflozins, were developed as a novel class of anti-diabetic agents that promote glycosuria through the prevention of glucose reabsorption in the proximal tubule by sodium-glucose co-transporter 2. Beyond the regulation of glucose homeostasis, they resulted as being effective in different clinical trials in patients with heart failure, showing a strong cardio-renal protective effect in diabetic, but also in non-diabetic patients, which highlights the possible existence of other mechanisms through which gliflozins could be exerting their action. So far, different gliflozins have been approved for their therapeutic use in T2DM, heart failure, and diabetic kidney disease in different countries, all of them being diseases that have in common a deregulation of the inflammatory process associated with the pathology, which perpetuates and worsens the disease. This inflammatory deregulation has been observed in many other diseases, which led the scientific community to have a growing interest in the understanding of the biological processes that lead to or control inflammation deregulation in order to be able to identify potential therapeutic targets that could revert this situation and contribute to the amelioration of the disease. In this line, recent studies showed that gliflozins also act as an anti-inflammatory drug, and have been proposed as a useful strategy to treat other diseases linked to inflammation in addition to cardio-renal diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, atherosclerosis, or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In this work, we will review recent studies regarding the role of the main sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors in the control of inflammation.

Identification of a Pyroptosis-Related Gene Signature for Predicting the Immune Status and Prognosis in Lung Adenocarcinoma

Background: Pyroptosis is a form of programmed cell death triggered by the rupture of cell membranes and the release of inflammatory substances; it is essential in the occurrence and development of cancer. A considerable number of studies have revealed that pyroptosis is closely associated to the biological process of several cancers. However, the role of pyroptosis in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains elusive. The purpose of this study was to explore the prognostic role of pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) and their relationship with the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) in LUAD.

Methods: Gene expression profiles and clinical information were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. A prognostic PRG signature was established in the training set and verified in the validation sets. Functional enrichment and immune microenvironment analyses related to PRGs were performed and a nomogram based on the risk score and clinical characteristics was established. What is more, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis was applied in order to verify the potential biomarkers for LUAD.

Results: A prognostic signature based on five PRGs was constructed to separate LUAD patients into two risk groups. Patients in the high-risk group had worse prognoses than those in the low-risk group. The signature was identified as independent via Cox regression analyses and obtained the largest area under the curve (AUC = 0.677) in the receiver operating characteristic (ROC). Functional enrichment and immune microenvironment analyses demonstrated that the immune status was significantly different in the two subgroups and that immunotherapy may be effective for the high-risk group. Furthermore, qRT-PCR analysis verified that serum PRKACA and GPX4 could serve as diagnostic biomarkers for LUAD.

Conclusion: Overall, a risk signature based on five PRGs was generated, providing a novel perspective on the determinants of prognosis and survival in LUAD, as well as a basis for the development of individualized regimes.

Cochlear Marginal Cell Pyroptosis Is Induced by Cisplatin via NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation

Better understanding the mechanism of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity is of great significance for clinical prevention and treatment of cisplatin-related hearing loss. However, the mechanism of cisplatin-induced inflammatory response in cochlear stria vascularis and the mechanism of marginal cell (MC) damage have not been fully clarified. In this study, a stable model of cisplatin-induced MC damage was established in vitro, and the results of PCR and Western blotting showed increased expressions of NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and GSDMD in MCs. Incomplete cell membranes including many small pores appearing on the membrane were also observed under transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. In addition, downregulation of NLRP3 by small interfering RNA can alleviate cisplatin-induced MC pyroptosis, and reducing the expression level of TXNIP possesses the inhibition effect on NLRP3 inflammasome activation and its mediated pyroptosis. Taken together, our results suggest that NLRP3 inflammasome activation may mediate cisplatin-induced MC pyroptosis in cochlear stria vascularis, and TXNIP is a possible upstream regulator, which may be a promising therapeutic target for alleviating cisplatin-induced hearing loss.

Regulatory role of short-chain fatty acids in inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises a group of chronic inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Accumulating evidence shows that the development of IBD is always accompanied by the dysbiosis of the gut microbiota (GM), causing a decrease in prebiotic levels and an increase in harmful metabolite levels. This leads to persistent immune response and inflammation in the intestine, greatly impairing the physiological function of the gastrointestinal tract. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are produced by probiotic gut bacteria from a fiber-rich diet that cannot be digested directly. SCFAs with significant anti-inflammatory functions regulate immune function and prevent an excessive immune response, thereby delaying the clinical progression of IBD. In this review, we summarize the generation of SCFAs and their potential therapeutic effects on IBD. Furthermore, we suggest that SCFAs may modulate innate immune recognition and cytokine production to intervene in the progression of IBD. Additional randomized controlled trials and prospective cohort studies should also investigate the clinical impact of SCFA. Video Abstract.

Active Release of eCIRP via Gasdermin D Channels to Induce Inflammation in Sepsis

Extracellular cold-inducible RNA binding protein (eCIRP) is an inflammatory mediator that causes inflammation and tissue injury in sepsis. Gasdermin D (GSDMD) is a protein that, when cleaved, forms pores in the cell membrane, releasing intracellular contents into the extracellular milieu to exacerbate inflammation. We hypothesize that eCIRP is released actively from viable macrophages via GSDMD pores. We found that LPS induced eCIRP secretion from macrophages into the extracellular space. LPS significantly increased the expression of caspase-11 and cleavage of the GSDMD, as evidenced by increased N-terminal GSDMD expression in RAW 264.7 cells and mouse primary peritoneal macrophages. GSDMD inhibitor disulfiram decreased eCIRP release in vitro. Treatment with glycine to prevent pyroptosis-induced cell lysis did not significantly decrease eCIRP release from LPS-treated macrophages, indicating that eCIRP was actively released and was independent of pyroptosis. Downregulation of GSDMD gene expression by siRNA transfection suppressed eCIRP release in vitro after LPS stimulation. Moreover, GSDMD^-/- peritoneal macrophages and mice had decreased levels of eCIRP in the culture supernatants and in blood treated with LPS in vitro and in vivo, respectively. GSDMD inhibitor disulfiram inhibited serum levels of eCIRP in endotoxemia and cecal ligation and puncture-induced sepsis. We conclude that eCIRP release from living macrophages is mediated through GSDMD pores, suggesting that targeting GSDMD could be a novel and potential therapeutic approach to inhibit eCIRP-mediated inflammation in sepsis.

A Pyroptosis-Related Gene Panel for Predicting the Prognosis and Immune Microenvironment of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the most common malignant tumors of the female reproductive system. And the immune system disorder in patients results in an increasing incidence rate and mortality rate. Pyroptosis is an immune system-related programmed cell death pathway that produces systemic inflammation by releasing pro-inflammatory intracellular components. However, the diagnostic significance of pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) in CC is still unclear. Therefore, we identified 52 PRGs from the TCGA database and screened three Differentially Expressed Pyroptosis-Related Genes (DEPRGs) in the prognosis of cervical cancer: CHMP4C, GZMB, TNF. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis and multivariate COX regression analysis were then used to construct a gene panel based on the three prognostic DEPRGs. The patients were divided into high-and low-risk groups based on the median risk score of the panel. According to the Kaplan-Meier curve, there was a substantial difference in survival rates between the two groups, with the high-risk group’s survival rate being significantly lower than the low-risk group’s. The PCA and t-SNE analyses revealed that the panel was able to differentiate patients into high-and low-risk groups. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) shows that the prognostic panel has high sensitivity and specificity. The risk score could then be employed as an independent prognostic factor using univariate and multivariate COX regression analyses paired with clinical data. The analyses of GO and KEGG functional enrichment of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the high-and low-risk groups revealed that these genes were primarily engaged in immune response and inflammatory cell chemotaxis. To illustrate immune cell infiltration in CC patients further, we used ssGSEA to compare immune-related cells and immune pathway activation between the high-and low-risk groups. The link between three prognostic DEPRGs and immune-related cells was still being discussed after evaluating immune cell infiltration in the TCGA cohort with “CIBERSORT.” In addition, the GEPIA database and qRT-PCR analysis were used to verify the expression levels of prognostic DEPRGs. In conclusion, PRGs are critical in tumor immunity and can be utilized to predict the prognosis of CC.

Emerging Roles of Inflammasomes in Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases are known as the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. As an innate immune signaling complex, inflammasomes can be activated by various cardiovascular risk factors and regulate the activation of caspase-1 and the production and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-18. Accumulating evidence supports that inflammasomes play a pivotal role in the progression of atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and heart failure. The best-known inflammasomes are NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4, and AIM2 inflammasomes, among which NLRP3 inflammasome is the most widely studied in the immune response and disease development. This review focuses on the activation and regulation mechanism of inflammasomes, the role of inflammasomes in cardiovascular diseases, and the research progress of targeting NLRP3 inflammasome and IL-1β for related disease intervention.

NLRP3 Inflammasome-Mediated Pyroptosis Pathway Contributes to the Pathogenesis of Candida albicans Keratitis

Purpose

Fungal keratitis is a sight-threatening corneal infection caused by fungal pathogens, and the pathogenic mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to determine whether NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis contributes to Candida albicans (C. albicans) keratitis and explore the underlying mechanism.

Methods

An in vivo mouse model of C. albicans keratitis and an in vitro culture model of human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) challenged with heat-killed C. albicans (HKCA) were established in this study. The degree of corneal infection was evaluated by clinical scoring. Gene expression was assessed using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot analysis or immunofluorescence staining was performed to evaluate protein expression. TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining was performed to examine the pyroptotic cell death. A lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay was performed to assess cytotoxicity.

Results

Compared with the mock-infected group, we observed that the mRNA levels of NLRP3, caspase-1 (CASP1), interleukin (IL)−1β and gasdermin-D (GSDMD) in C. albicans-infected mice cornea was significantly increased. Our data also demonstrated that the protein expression of NLRP3 and the pyroptosis-related markers apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), cleaved CASP1, N-GSDMD, cleaved IL-1β and cleaved IL-18 as well as pyroptotic cell death were dramatically elevated in the mouse model of C. albicans keratitis. More importantly, NLRP3 knockdown markedly alleviated pyroptosis and consequently reduced corneal inflammatory reaction in C. albicans keratitis. In vitro, the presence of activated NLRP3 inflammasome and pyroptotic cell death were validated in HCECs exposed to HKCA. Furthermore, the potassium (K⁺) channel inhibitor glyburide decreased LDH release and suppressed NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis in HCECs exposed to HKCA.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the current study revealed for the first time that NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis occur in C. albicans-infected mouse corneas and HCECs. Moreover, NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis signaling is involved in the disease severity of C. albicans keratitis. Therefore, This NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent pathway may be an attractive target for the treatment of fungal keratitis.

Extracellular Vesicles and the Inflammasome: An Intricate Network Sustaining Chemoresistance

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane enclosed spherical particles devoted to intercellular communication. Cancer-derived EVs (Ca-EVs) are deeply involved in tumor microenvironment remodeling, modifying the inflammatory phenotype of cancerous and non-cancerous residing cells. Inflammation plays a pivotal role in initiation, development, and progression of many types of malignancies. The key feature of cancer-related inflammation is the production of cytokines that incessantly modify of the surrounding environment. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is one of the most powerful cytokines, influencing all the initiation-to-progression stages of many types of cancers and represents an emerging critical contributor to chemoresistance. IL-1β production strictly depends on the activation of inflammasome, a cytoplasmic molecular platform sensing exogenous and endogenous danger signals. It has been recently shown that Ca-EVs can activate the inflammasome cascade and IL-1β production in tumor microenvironment-residing cells. Since inflammasome dysregulation has been established as crucial regulator in inflammation-associated tumorigenesis and chemoresistance, it is conceivable that the use of inflammasome-inhibiting drugs may be employed as adjuvant chemotherapy to counteract chemoresistance. This review focuses on the role of cancer-derived EVs in tuning tumor microenvironment unveiling the intricate network between inflammasome and chemoresistance.

Macrophage Subsets and Death Are Responsible for Atherosclerotic Plaque Formation

Cardiovascular diseases, the notorious killer, are mainly caused by atherosclerosis (AS) characterized by lipids, cholesterol, and iron overload in plaques. Macrophages are effector cells and accumulate to the damaged and inflamed sites of arteries to internalize native and chemically modified lipoproteins to transform them into cholesterol-loaded foam cells. Foam cell formation is determined by the capacity of phagocytosis, migration, scavenging, and the features of phenotypes. Macrophages are diverse, and the subsets and functions are controlled by their surrounding microenvironment. Generally, macrophages are divided into classically activated (M1) and alternatively activated (M2). Recently, intraplaque macrophage phenotypes are recognized by the stimulation of CXCL4 (M4), oxidized phospholipids (Mox), hemoglobin/haptoglobin complexes [HA-mac/M(Hb)], and heme (Mhem). The pro-atherogenic or anti-atherosclerotic phenotypes of macrophages decide the progression of AS. Besides, apoptosis, necrosis, ferroptosis, autophagy and pyrotopsis determine plaque formation and cardiovascular vulnerability, which may be associated with macrophage polarization phenotypes. In this review, we first summarize the three most popular hypotheses for AS and find the common key factors for further discussion. Secondly, we discuss the factors affecting macrophage polarization and five types of macrophage death in AS progression, especially ferroptosis. A comprehensive understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of plaque formation is conducive to disentangling the candidate targets of macrophage-targeting therapies for clinical intervention at various stages of AS.

Cardiac Remodeling in Heart Failure: Role of Pyroptosis and Its Therapeutic Implications

Pyroptosis is a kind of programmed cell death closely related to inflammation. The pathways that mediate pyroptosis can be divided into the Caspase-1-dependent canonical pathway and the Caspase4/5/11-dependent non-canonical pathway. The most significant difference from other cell death is that pyroptosis rapidly causes rupture of the plasma membrane, cell expansion, dissolution and rupture of the cell membrane, the release of cell contents and a large number of inflammatory factors, and send pro-inflammatory signals to adjacent cells, recruit inflammatory cells and induce inflammatory responses. Cardiac remodeling is the basic mechanism of heart failure (HF) and the core of pathophysiological research on the underlying mechanism. A large number of studies have shown that pyroptosis can cause cardiac fibrosis, cardiac hypertrophy, cardiomyocytes death, myocardial dysfunction, excessive inflammation, and cardiac remodeling. Therefore, targeting pyroptosis has a good prospect in improving cardiac remodeling in HF. In this review, the basic molecular mechanism of pyroptosis is summarized, the relationship between pyroptosis and cardiac remodeling in HF is analyzed in-depth, and the potential therapy of targeting pyroptosis to improve adverse cardiac remodeling in HF is discussed, providing some ideas for improving the study of adverse cardiac remodeling in HF.

Non-apoptotic cell death-based cancer therapy: Molecular mechanism, pharmacological modulators, and nanomedicine

As an emerging cancer therapeutic target, non-apoptotic cell death such as ferroptosis, necroptosis and pyroptosis, etc., has revealed significant potential in cancer treatment for bypassing apoptosis to enhance the undermined therapeutic efficacy triggered by apoptosis resistance. A variety of anticancer drugs, synthesized compounds and natural products have been proven recently to induce non-apoptotic cell death and exhibit excellent anti-tumor effects. Moreover, the convergence of nanotechnology with functional materials and biomedicine science has provided tremendous opportunities to construct non-apoptotic cell death-based nanomedicine for innovative cancer therapy. Nanocarriers are not only employed in targeted delivery of non-apoptotic inducers, but also used as therapeutic components to induce non-apoptotic cell death to achieve efficient tumor treatment. This review first introduces the main characteristics, the mechanism and various pharmacological modulators of different non-apoptotic cell death forms, including ferroptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, paraptosis, lysosomal-dependent cell death, and oncosis. Second, we comprehensively review the latest progresses of nanomedicine that induces various forms of non-apoptotic cell death and focus on the nanomedicine targeting different pathways and components. Furthermore, the combination therapies of non-apoptotic cell death with photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, immunotherapy and other modalities are summarized. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives in this regard are also discussed.

Metformin Protects against Spinal Cord Injury and Cell Pyroptosis via AMPK/NLRP3 Inflammasome Pathway

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is an extreme neurological impairment with few effective drug treatments. Pyroptosis is a recently found and proven type of programmed cell death that is characterized by a reliance on inflammatory caspases and the release of a large number of proinflammatory chemicals. Pyroptosis differs from other cell death mechanisms such as apoptosis and necrosis in terms of morphological traits, incidence, and regulatory mechanism. Pyroptosis is widely involved in the occurrence and development of SCI. In-depth research on pyroptosis will help researchers better understand its involvement in the onset, progression, and prognosis of SCI, as well as provide new therapeutic prevention and treatment options. Herein, we investigated the role of AMPK-mediated activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the neuroprotection of MET-regulated pyroptosis. We found that MET treatment reduced NLRP3 inflammasome activation by activating phosphorylated AMPK and reduced proinflammatory cytokine (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) release. At the same time, MET improved motor function recovery in rats after SCI by reducing motor neuron loss in the anterior horn of the spinal cord. Taken together, our study confirmed that MET inhibits neuronal pyroptosis after SCI via the AMPK/NLRP3 signaling pathway, which is mostly dependent on the AMPK pathway increase, hence decreasing NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Didymin Suppresses Microglia Pyroptosis and Neuroinflammation Through the Asc/Caspase-1/GSDMD Pathway Following Experimental Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Neuroinflammation has been proven to exert an important effect on brain injury after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Previous studies reported that Didymin possessed anti-inflammatory properties after acute hepatic injury, hyperglycemia-induced endothelial dysfunction, and death. However, the role of Didymin in microglial pyroptosis and neuroinflammation after ICH is unclear. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of Didymin on neuroinflammation mediated by microglial pyroptosis in mouse models of ICH and shed some light on the underlying mechanisms. In this study, we observed that Didymin treatment remarkably improved neurobehavioral performance and decreased BBB disruption and brain water content. Microglial activation and neutrophil infiltration in the peri-hematoma tissue after ICH were strikingly mitigated by Didymin as well. At the molecular level, administration of Didymin significantly unregulated the expression of Rkip and downregulated the expression of pyroptotic molecules and inflammatory cytokines such as Nlrp3 inflammasome, GSDMD, caspase-1, and mature IL-1β, TNF-α, and MPO after ICH. Besides, Didymin treatment decreased the number of Caspase-1-positive microglia and GSDMD-positive microglia after ICH. Inversely, Locostatin, an Rkip-specific inhibitor, significantly abolished the anti-pyroptosis and anti-neuroinflammation effects of Didymin. Moreover, Rkip binding with Asc could interrupt the activation and assembly of the inflammasome. Mechanistically, inhibition of Caspase-1 by VX-765 attenuated brain injury and suppressed microglial pyroptosis and neuroinflammation by downregulation of GSDMD, mature IL-1β, TNF-α, and MPO based on Locostatin-treated ICH. Taken together, Didymin alleviated microglial pyroptosis and neuroinflammation, at least in part through the Asc/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway via upregulating Rkip expression after ICH. Therefore, Didymin may be a potential agent to attenuate neuroinflammation via its anti-pyroptosis effect after ICH.

Studying ferroptosis and pyroptosis as new cell death mechanisms induced by ionizing radiation in Ehrlich solid tumor-bearing mice

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to explore the effect of different fractionation schedule on ferroptosis and pyroptosis biomarkers as new cell death mechanisms induced by IR.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study included 40 tumor bearing mice divided into: Group I: Includes 8 untreated tumor-bearing mice. Group II: Includes 8 tumor bearing mice exposed to single dose 6 Gy of IR. Group III: Includes 8 tumor bearing mice exposed to 12 Gy in 2 fractions (2 × 6 Gy) of IR. Group IV: Includes 8 tumor bearing mice exposed to 12 Gy in 3 fractions (3 × 4 Gy) of IR. Group V: Includes 8 tumor bearing mice exposed to 8 Gy in 4 fractions (4 × 2 Gy) of IR. IL-1β, IL-18, and GSDMD-CT levels were assessed by ELISA. PTGS2 and ACSL4 expression were assessed by RT-PCR.

RESULTS

(2 × 6 Gy) group showed the highest ACSL4 expression followed by (3 × 4 Gy), then (4 × 2 Gy) and finally 6 Gy. (2 × 6 Gy) group resulted in the highest PTGS2 expression followed by (3 × 4 Gy), then 6 Gy, and finally (4 × 2 Gy). MDA significantly increased at (2 × 6 Gy), (3 × 4 Gy), and 6 Gy groups and insignificantly increased at (4 × 2 Gy) group. Iron significantly increased at (2 × 6 Gy), (3 × 4 Gy), and (4 × 2 Gy) groups and insignificantly at 6 Gy. Glutathione was significantly decreased at (2 × 6 Gy), (3 × 4 Gy), and (4 × 2 Gy) groups and insignificantly at 6 Gy. GSDMD-CT, IL-1β, and IL-18 levels significantly reduced in tumor tissues after exposure to IR at all doses.

CONCLUSION

High dose per fraction regimens induce the expression of ferroptosis markers more than low dose per fraction regimen and single dose of IR. IR at all doses induces pyroptotic cell death.

Berberine represses Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation via modulating the microRNA-103a-3p/Bromodomain-containing protein 4 axis, thereby refraining pyroptosis and reducing the intestinal mucosal barrier defect induced via colitis

Intestinal barrier dysfunction is inflammatory bowel disease’s hallmark. Berberine (BBR) has manifested its anti-inflammatory properties in colitis. For exploring the molecular mechanism of BBR’s impacts on colitis, application of a dextran sodium sulfate-induced mouse colitis in vivo model was with recording the body weight, stool consistency, stool occult blood and general physical symptoms of all groups of mice every day. Behind assessment of intestinal permeability, detection of colon damage’s degree and apoptosis, and inflammatory factors for assessment of pyroptosis was conducted. Application of interleukin-6-stimulated Caco-2 cells was for construction of an in vitro model. Then detection of cell advancement with inflammation and measurement of the barrier’s integrity were put into effect. Verification of microRNA (miR)-103a-3p and Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4)’s targeting link was conducted. Experiments have clarified BBR, elevated miR-103a-3p or repressive BRD4 was available to alleviate colitis-stimulated pyroptosis and intestinal mucosal barrier defects. BBR elevated miR-103a-3p to target BRD4; Refraining miR-103a-3p or enhancive BRD4 turned around BBR’s therapeutic action on colitis injury. BBR depressed Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation via controlling the miR-103a-3p/BRD4 axis. All in all, BBR represses Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation via modulating the miR-103a-3p/BRD4 axis, thereby mitigating colitis-stimulated pyroptosis and the intestinal mucosal barrier defect. The research suggests BBR is supposed to take on potential in colitis cure.

Analysis of the expression and prognostic value of MT1-MMP, β1-integrin and YAP1 in glioma

Increased expression of membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP/MMP14) is associated with the development of many cancers. MT1-MMP may promote the entry of yes-associated protein1 (YAP1) into the nucleus by regulating the regulation of β1-integrin. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of MT1-MMP, β1-integrin and YAP1 on the prognosis of gliomas. The expression of proteins was detected by bioinformatics and immunohistochemistry. The relationship between three proteins and clinicopathological parameters was analyzed by the χ² test. Survival analysis was used to investigate the effects of three proteins on prognosis. The results showed that high expressions of MT1-MMP, β1-integrin and YAP1 were found in glioblastoma (GBM) compared with lower-grade glioma (LGG). There was a significantly positive correlation between MT1-MMP and β1-integrin (r = 0.387), MT1-MMP and YAP1 (r = 0.443), β1-integrin and YAP1 (r = 0.348). Survival analysis showed that patients with overexpression of MT1-MMP, β1-integrin and YAP1 had a worse prognosis. YAP1 expression was the independent prognostic factor for progression-free survival (PFS). There was a statistical correlation between the expression of MT1-MMP and YAP1 and isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDHl) mutation. Thus, this study suggested that MT1-MMP, β1-integrin and YAP1, as tumor suppressors, are expected to be promising prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for glioma patients.