An overview of disease models for NLRP3 inflammasome over-activation

Harnessing luciferase chemistry in regulated cell death modalities and autophagy: overview and perspectives

Regulated cell death is a fate of cells in (patho)physiological conditions during which extrinsic or intrinsic signals or redox equilibrium pathways following infection, cellular stress or injury are coupled to cell death modalities like apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis or ferroptosis. An immediate survival response to cellular stress is often induction of autophagy, a process that deals with removal of aggregated proteins and damaged organelles by a lysosomal recycling process. These cellular processes and their regulation are crucial in several human diseases. Exploiting high-throughput assays which discriminate distinct cell death modalities and autophagy are critical to identify potential therapeutic agents that modulate these cellular responses. In the past few years, luciferase-based assays have been widely developed for assessing regulated cell death and autophagy pathways due to their simplicity, sensitivity, known chemistry, different spectral properties and high-throughput potential. Here, we review basic principles of bioluminescent reactions from a mechanistic perspective, along with their implication in vitro and in vivo for probing cell death and autophagy pathways. These include applying luciferase-, luciferin-, and ATP-based biosensors for investigating regulated cell death modalities. We discuss multiplex bioluminescence platforms which simultaneously distinguish between the various cell death phenomena and cellular stress recovery processes such as autophagy. We also highlight the recent technological achievements of bioluminescent tools for the prediction of drug effectiveness in pathways associated with regulated cell death.

Inflammasomes cross-talk with lymphocytes to connect the innate and adaptive immune response

BACKGROUND

Innate and adaptive immunity are two different parts of the immune system that have different characteristics and work together to provide immune protection. Inflammasomes are a major part of the innate immune system that are expressed widely in myeloid cells and are responsible for inflammatory responses. Recent studies have shown that inflammasomes are also expressed and activated in lymphocytes, especially in T and B cells, to regulate the adaptive immune response. Activation of inflammasomes is also under the control of lymphocytes. Therefore, we propose that inflammasomes act as a bridge and they provide crosstalk between the innate and adaptive immune systems to obtain a fine balance in immune responses.

AIM OF REVIEW

This review systematially summarizes the interaction between inflammasomes and lymphocytes and describes the crosstalk between the innate and adaptive immune systems induced by inflammasomes, with the aim of providing new directions and important areas for further research.

KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW

When considering the novel function of inflammasomes in various lymphocytes, attention should be given to the activity of specific inflammasomes in studies of lymphocyte function. Moreover, research on the function of various inflammasomes in lymphocytes will help advance knowledge on the mechanisms and treatment of various diseases, including autoimmune diseases and tumors. In addition, when studying inflammatory responses, inflammasomes in both lymphocytes and myeloid cells need to be considered.

In-vitro inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome by 3,6-dihydroxyflavone (3,6-DHF): a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases

Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome complex has an important role in immune system and its abnormal activation is associated with the pathogenesis of various inflammatory and auto-immune diseases. The study reveals the anti-inflammatory effects of 3,6-dihydroxyflavone (3,6-DHF). Here, we aimed to determine the inhibitory effects of 3,6-DHF on NLRP3 inflammasome and its associated components, thereby determining the signaling pathways involved in the inhibition. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) were quantified by chemiluminescence and Griess methods, respectively. Inflammatory cell model was induced in human leukemic monocytes (THP-1). mRNA levels were estimated through real-time RT-PCR, protein expressions were evaluated by protein slot blot and immunocytochemistry, MTT and alamar blue assays were employed for toxicity studies. The compound 3,6-DHF was found to be the potent inhibitor of NLRP3 inflammasome by targeting the molecules involve in its activation pathway. Anti-inflammatory effects were revealed by inhibition of ROS and NO, reduction in the transcription of caspase-1, ASC, IL-1β and TLR-4 was observed along with the marked inhibition of NLRP3, IL-18, NF-κB and pNF-κB at translational level. 3,6-DHF was non-toxic on normal human fibroblast (BJ) and THP-1 cells and, could be a potential therapeutic agent in NLRP3 inflammasome driven diseases.

Innate immunity and early liver inflammation

The innate system constitutes a first-line defence mechanism against pathogens. 80% of the blood supply entering the human liver arrives from the splanchnic circulation through the portal vein, so it is constantly exposed to immunologically active substances and pathogens from the gastrointestinal tract. Rapid neutralization of pathogens and toxins is an essential function of the liver, but so too is avoidance of harmful and unnecessary immune reactions. This delicate balance of reactivity and tolerance is orchestrated by a diverse repertoire of hepatic immune cells. In particular, the human liver is enriched in many innate immune cell subsets, including Kupffer cells (KCs), innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) like Natural Killer (NK) cells and ILC-like unconventional T cells - namely Natural Killer T cells (NKT), γδ T cells and Mucosal-associated Invariant T cells (MAIT). These cells reside in the liver in a memory-effector state, so they respond quickly to trigger appropriate responses. The contribution of aberrant innate immunity to inflammatory liver diseases is now being better understood. In particular, we are beginning to understand how specific innate immune subsets trigger chronic liver inflammation, which ultimately results in hepatic fibrosis. In this review, we consider the roles of specific innate immune cell subsets in early inflammation in human liver disease.

Strategies of Targeting Inflammasome in the Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by multiple organ dysfunction resulting from the production of multiple autoantibodies and adaptive immune system abnormalities involving T and B lymphocytes. In recent years, inflammasomes have been recognized as an important component of innate immunity and have attracted increasing attention because of their pathogenic role in SLE. In short, inflammasomes regulate the abnormal differentiation of immune cells, modulate pathogenic autoantibodies, and participate in organ damage. However, due to the clinical heterogeneity of SLE, the pathogenic roles of inflammasomes are variable, and thus, the efficacy of inflammasome-targeting therapies is uncertain. To provide a foundation for the development of such therapeutic strategies, in this paper, we review the role of different inflammasomes in the pathogenesis of SLE and their correlation with clinical phenotypes and propose some corresponding treatment strategies.

Effect of NLRP3 repression on NLRP3 inflammasome activation in human corneal epithelial cells with black carbon exposure

PURPOSE

To investigate the inhibitory effects of NLRP3 siRNA on NLRP3 inflammasome activation in human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) with fresh black carbon (FBC) particles and ozone-oxidized BC (OBC) particles treatment.

METHODS

HCECs were transfected with NLRP3 siRNA or control siRNA for 48 h, followed by 200 μg/ml FBC or OBC suspension for an additional 72 h. Untreated controls were cells with no siRNA transfection or BC treatment. RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to measure mRNA and protein levels of components of the NLRP3 inflammasome (NLRP3, ASC, and Caspase-1) and downstream cytokine (IL-1β), respectively.

RESULTS

Compared with untreated control cells, mRNA levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, and IL-1β were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in control siRNA transfected cells with BC treatments. Compared with the control siRNA transfected cells, NLRP3 siRNA transfection reduced the expression of NLRP3 and ASC, whereas it had a limited effect on the expression of Caspase-1 and IL-1β with FBC or OBC exposures. Under FBC treatment, the reductions of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 mRNA levels were 53.5% (p < 0.001) and 34.2% (p < 0. 01), respectively, and NLRP3 and ASC protein levels were lowered by 58.2% (p < 0.001) and 45.4% (p < 0.001), respectively. Under OBC treatment, the reductions of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 mRNA levels were 39.8% (p < 0.001) and 25.6% (p < 0.05), respectively, and NLRP3 and ASC protein levels were lowered by 44.8% (p < 0.001) and 41.7% (p < 0.001), respectively. Moreover, mRNA levels of ASC and IL-1β, the protein levels of Caspase-1 and IL-1β showed a tendency to decrease in NLRP3 siRNA transfected cells, it was statistically insignificant (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

NLRP3 siRNA transfection could partially reverse the increased mRNA levels of NLRP3 and Caspase-1, the protein levels of NLRP3 and ASC in HCECs with BC treatment, whereas the reductions of protein levels of Caspase-1 and IL-1β were not significant, indicating that NLRP3 siRNA has a limited inhibitory effect on the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome triggered by BC.

IIIM-941, a Stilbene Derivative Inhibits NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation by Inducing Autophagy

Aberrant activation of NLRP3 inflammasome has been implicated in several inflammatory diseases. Autophagy is one of the primary mechanisms that regulate NLRP3 inflammasome activity. In this study, we attempted to target NLRP3 inflammasome activity by a synthetic compound IIIM-941. We found that IIIM-941 inhibits ATP induced NLRP3 inflammasome by induction of autophagy through AMPK pathway in bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs) and J774A.1 cells. It was interesting to observe that IIIM-941 did not show any inhibitory activity against LPS induced pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6. The anti-NLRP3 activity of IIIM-941 was significantly reversed when we attempted to block autophagy by using either pharmacological inhibitor bafilomycin A1or by using siRNA against AMPK. Further, we found that IIIM-941 downregulated the expression of NLRP3 and prevented the oligomerization of ASC to exert its anti-NLRP3 inflammasome effect in J774A.1 cells. We validated inhibitory activity of IIIM-941 against NLRP3 in three different mice models. The anti-inflammatory effect of IIIM-941 was highly significant in ATP induced peritoneal inflammation model. IIIM-941 was similarly effective in suppressing MSU induced IL-1β in the air pouch model of inflammation without affecting the levels of TNF-α and IL-6. Finally, oral efficacy of IIIM-941 was also proved in MSU indued foot paw edema model of inflammation in mice at 10 and 20 mg/kg (b.w.). The compounds like IIIM-941 can be explored further for the development of therapies against diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, where hampered autophagy and NLRP3 activation play a crucial role in the pathological development.

Aberrant NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation Ignites the Fire of Inflammation in Neuromuscular Diseases

Inflammasomes are molecular hubs that are assembled and activated by a host in response to various microbial and non-microbial stimuli and play a pivotal role in maintaining tissue homeostasis. The NLRP3 is a highly promiscuous inflammasome that is activated by a wide variety of sterile triggers, including misfolded protein aggregates, and drives chronic inflammation via caspase-1-mediated proteolytic cleavage and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1β and interleukin-18. These cytokines further amplify inflammatory responses by activating various signaling cascades, leading to the recruitment of immune cells and overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, resulting in a vicious cycle of chronic inflammation and tissue damage. Neuromuscular diseases are a heterogeneous group of muscle disorders that involve injury or dysfunction of peripheral nerves, neuromuscular junctions and muscles. A growing body of evidence suggests that dysregulation, impairment or aberrant NLRP3 inflammasome signaling leads to the initiation and exacerbation of pathological processes associated with neuromuscular diseases. In this review, we summarize the available knowledge about the NLRP3 inflammasome in neuromuscular diseases that affect the peripheral nervous system and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which affects the central nervous system. In addition, we also examine whether therapeutic targeting of the NLRP3 inflammasome components is a viable approach to alleviating the detrimental phenotype of neuromuscular diseases and improving clinical outcomes.

Sex-Related Overactivation of NLRP3 Inflammasome Increases Lethality of the Male COVID-19 Patients

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection, remains a dramatic threat to human life and economic well-being worldwide. Significant heterogeneity in the severity of disease was observed for patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 ranging from asymptomatic to severe cases. Moreover, male patients had a higher probability of suffering from high mortality and severe symptoms linked to cytokine storm and excessive inflammation. The NLRP3 inflammasome is presumably critical to this process. Sex differences may directly affect the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, impacting the severity of observed COVID-19 symptoms. To elucidate the potential mechanisms underlying sex based differences in NLRP3 activation during SARS-CoV-2 infection, this review summarizes the reported mechanisms and identifies potential therapeutic targets.