Autophagy Induction Ameliorates Inflammatory Responses in Intestinal Ischemia-Reperfusion Through Inhibiting NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation

Induction mechanisms of autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum stress in intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury, inflammatory bowel disease, and colorectal cancer

In recent years, the incidence of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury (II/RI), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and colorectal cancer (CRC) has been gradually increasing, posing significant threats to human health. Autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) play important roles in II/RI. Damage caused by ischemia and cellular stress can activate ERS, which in turn initiates autophagy to clear damaged organelles and abnormal proteins, thereby alleviating ERS and maintaining the intestinal environment. In IBD, chronic inflammation damages intestinal tissues and activates autophagy and ERS. Autophagy is initiated by upregulating ATG genes and downregulating factors that inhibit autophagy, thereby clearing abnormal proteins, damaged organelles, and bacteria. Simultaneously, persistent inflammatory stimulation can also trigger ERS, leading to protein imbalance and abnormal folding in the ER lumen. The activation of ERS can maintain cellular homeostasis by initiating the autophagy process, thereby reducing inflammatory responses and cell apoptosis in the intestine. In CRC, excessive cell proliferation and protein synthesis lead to increased ERS. The activation of ERS, regulated by signaling pathways such as IRE1α and PERK, can initiate autophagy to clear abnormal proteins and damaged organelles, thereby reducing the negative effects of ERS. It can be seen that autophagy and ERS play a crucial regulatory role in the development of intestinal diseases. Therefore, the progress in targeted therapy for intestinal diseases based on autophagy and ERS provides novel strategies for managing intestinal diseases. In this paper, we review the advances in regulation of autophagy and ERS in intestinal diseases, emphasizing the potential molecular mechanisms for therapeutic applications.

Esculetin Alleviates Inflammation, Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Intestinal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury via Targeting SIRT3/AMPK/mTOR Signaling and Regulating Autophagy

Aim

Intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a challenging pathological phenomenon accountable for significant mortality in clinical scenarios. Substantial evidence has supported the protective role of esculetin in myocardial I/R injury. This study is designed to reveal the specific impacts of esculetin on intestinal I/R injury and disclose the underlying mechanism.

Methods

First, intestinal I/R injury model and intestinal epithelial cell line hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) model were established. Pathologic damages to intestinal tissues were observed through H&E staining. Serum diamine oxidase (DAO) levels were examined. RT-qPCR and Western blot examined the expression of inflammatory mediators. Commercial kits were used for detecting the levels of oxidative stress markers. TUNEL assay and caspase 3 activity assay measured cell apoptosis. Immunofluorescence (IF) staining measured autophagy levels. Western blot analyzed the expression of apoptosis-, Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3)/AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling- and autophagy-related proteins. Molecular docking verified the interaction of esculetin with SIRT3. Cell viability was explored via CCK-8 assay.

Results

The experimental results revealed that esculetin treatment mitigated pathological damage of intestinal tissues, reduced serum DAO level, ameliorated inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis and promoted autophagy in intestinal I/R rats. Moreover, esculetin bond to SIRT3 and activated SIRT3/AMPK/mTOR signaling both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, esculetin treatment enhanced cell viability and SIRT3 silencing reversed the impacts of esculetin on autophagy, inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis in H/R cell model.

Conclusion

In a word, esculetin activated SIRT3/AMPK/mTOR signaling and autophagy to protect against inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis in intestinal I/R injury.

The multifunctional roles of autophagy in the innate immune response: Implications for regulation of transplantation rejection

Organ transplantation is the main treatment for end-stage organ failure, which has rescued tens of thousands of lives. Immune rejection is the main factor affecting the survival of transplanted organs. How to suppress immune rejection is an important goal of transplantation research. A graft first triggers innate immune responses, leading to graft inflammation, tissue injury and cell death, followed by adaptive immune activation. At present, the importance of innate immunity in graft rejection is poorly understood. Autophagy, an evolutionarily conserved intracellular degradation system, is proven to be involved in regulating innate immune response following graft transplants. Moreover, there is evidence indicating that autophagy can regulate graft dysfunction. Although the specific mechanism by which autophagy affects graft rejection remains unclear, autophagy is involved in innate immune signal transduction, inflammatory response, and various forms of cell death after organ transplantation. This review summarizes how autophagy regulates these processes and proposes potential targets for alleviating immune rejection.

Role of Autophagy Inducers and Inhibitors in Intestinal Barrier Injury Induced by Intestinal Ischemia–Reperfusion (I/R)

Objectives

Intestinal epithelial barrier function is an important mechanical barrier to maintain intestinal homeostasis and resist the invasion of intestinal pathogens and microorganisms. However, intestinal epithelial barrier function is vulnerable to damage under intestinal ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury. Under a category of pathophysiological conditions, including I/R, autophagy plays a crucial role. This study is aimed at discussing the role of autophagy inhibitors and activators in intestinal epithelial barrier function after intestinal I/R by changing autophagy levels.

Methods

Mice with intestinal IR underwent 45 minutes of surgery for superior mesenteric artery occlusion. The autophagy inhibitor 3-MA and the autophagy inducer rapamycin (RAP) were used to change the level of autophagy, and then, the expressions of tight junction proteins and intestinal barrier function were detected.

Results

The results showed that the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA aggravated intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction, while the autophagy inducer RAP attenuated intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction. In addition, promoting autophagy may promote occludin expression by inhibiting claudin-2 expression.

Conclusion

Upregulation of autophagy levels by autophagy inducers can enhance intestinal epithelial barrier function after intestinal I/R.

STING signaling activation inhibits HBV replication and attenuates the severity of liver injury and HBV-induced fibrosis

The covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) of HBV plays a crucial role in viral persistence and is also a risk factor for developing HBV-induced diseases, including liver fibrosis. Stimulator of interferon genes (STING), a master regulator of DNA-mediated innate immune activation, is a potential therapeutic target for viral infection and virus-related diseases. In this study, agonist-induced STING signaling activation in macrophages was revealed to inhibit cccDNA-mediated transcription and HBV replication via epigenetic modification in hepatocytes. Notably, STING activation could efficiently attenuate the severity of liver injury and fibrosis in a chronic recombinant cccDNA (rcccDNA) mouse model, which is a proven suitable research platform for HBV-induced fibrosis. Mechanistically, STING-activated autophagic flux could suppress macrophage inflammasome activation, leading to the amelioration of liver injury and HBV-induced fibrosis. Overall, the activation of STING signaling could inhibit HBV replication through epigenetic suppression of cccDNA and alleviate HBV-induced liver fibrosis through the suppression of macrophage inflammasome activation by activating autophagic flux in a chronic HBV mouse model. This study suggests that targeting the STING signaling pathway may be an important therapeutic strategy to protect against persistent HBV replication and HBV-induced fibrosis.

Cis-9, Trans-11 CLA Alleviates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Depression of Fatty Acid Synthesis by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and Autophagy in Bovine Mammary Epithelial Cells

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is the dominating endotoxin of Gram-negative bacteria, which can cause mastitis. Bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs), as major components of the mammary gland, usually suffer LPS challenge. Cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been reported to have anti-inflammatory characteristics, while its anti-oxidative ability to maintain cellular homeostasis in BMECs under LPS challenge is limited. Therefore, we studied whether cis-9, trans-11 CLA can restore the disturbance of cellular homeostasis indicated by the redox status and autophagy level caused by LPS and have an effect on cellular function- milk fat metabolism. For oxidative stress, LPS challenge promoted the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and decreased the concentration of glutathione. Anti-oxidative signaling regulated by transcription factor nuclear factor, erythroid 2 like 2 (Nrf2) was also depressed by LPS at the mRNA and protein level. However, cis-9, trans-11 CLA pretreatment downregulated the formation of ROS and TBARS and upregulated the expression of antioxidative enzymes. As a part of innate immunity, autophagy was also motivated by LPS challenge, while CLA decreased the autophagy level. LPS and H₂O₂ inhibited milk fat synthesis-related transcription factor sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP1), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARG) and their downstream enzymes. Furthermore, 50 uM cis-9, trans-11 CLA promoted the mRNA and protein abundance of milk fat synthesis-related genes and lipid droplet formation in BMECs. In conclusion, LPS challenge disturbed the cellular homeostasis and depressed milk fat synthesis in BMECs; while cis-9, trans-11 CLA alleviated oxidative stress and decreased autophagy level, thus promoting milk fat synthesis, which offers a natural therapeutic strategy for mastitis.

Protective effects of syringic acid on inflammation, apoptosis and intestinal barrier function in Caco-2 cells following oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation-induced injury

Syringic acid (SA) is an abundant phenolic acid compound that has been demonstrated to yield therapeutic benefits in myocardial and renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). However, the role of SA in intestinal I/R injury is unclear. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the protective effect of SA against intestinal I/R injury. Caco-2 cells were incubated with different doses of SA before oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) induction. The viability of Caco-2 cells, the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the levels of reactive oxygen species, superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde were measured. Apoptosis was evaluated using a TUNEL assay and western blotting. Transepithelial electrical resistance and western blotting were performed to evaluate intestinal barrier function in Caco-2 cells. The present study revealed that pretreatment with SA significantly increased cell viability and reduced LDH release in Caco-2 cells subjected to OGD/R treatment. In addition, SA suppressed OGD/R-induced inflammatory responses by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. Furthermore, the levels of oxidative stress and apoptosis were ameliorated by SA. SA also alleviated the intestinal barrier disruption exhibited by Caco-2 cells after OGD/R injury. Overall, the present study revealed that SA may potentially protect Caco-2 cells from OGD/R injury, and that this effect may be attributed to its anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activities, as well as its ability to protect the function of the intestinal barrier.

Dexmedetomidine inhibits mitochondria damage and apoptosis of enteric glial cells in experimental intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury via SIRT3-dependent PINK1/HDAC3/p53 pathway

BACKGROUND

Intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury commonly occurs during perioperative periods, resulting in high morbidity and mortality on a global scale. Dexmedetomidine (Dex) is a selective α2-agonist that is frequently applied during perioperative periods for its analgesia effect; however, its ability to provide protection against intestinal I/R injury and underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear.

METHODS

To fill this gap, the protection of Dex against I/R injury was examined in a rat model of intestinal I/R injury and in an inflammation cell model, which was induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) plus interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) stimulation.

RESULTS

Our data demonstrated that Dex had protective effects against intestinal I/R injury in rats. Dex was also found to promote mitophagy and inhibit apoptosis of enteric glial cells (EGCs) in the inflammation cell model. PINK1 downregulated p53 expression by promoting the phosphorylation of HDAC3. Further studies revealed that Dex provided protection against experimentally induced intestinal I/R injury in rats, while enhancing mitophagy, and suppressing apoptosis of EGCs through SIRT3-mediated PINK1/HDAC3/p53 pathway in the inflammation cell model.

CONCLUSION

Hence, these findings provide evidence supporting the protective effect of Dex against intestinal I/R injury and its underlying mechanism involving the SIRT3/PINK1/HDAC3/p53 axis.

Protective effect of mirtazapine against acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats: Role of NLRP3 inflammasome pathway

AIMS

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes long-lasting inflammation on the innermost lining of the colon and rectum. Mirtazapine (MRT) is a well-known antidepressant that was proven to have anti-inflammatory activity; however, to date, its role has not been investigated in UC. The current study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of MRT in UC.

MAIN METHOD

Acetic acid (AA) was used for UC induction, and sulfasalazine (SLZ) was used as a positive control. Rats were divided into five equal groups; as follows; normal control, AA, SLZ (received SLZ in a dose of 250 mg/kg for 14 days), MRT10 (received MRT in a dose of 10 mg/kg/day for 14 days), and MRT30 (received MRT in a dose of 30 mg/kg/day for 14 days) groups. Macroscopic and microscopic examinations together with oxidative stress parameters evaluation were done. NOD-like receptors-3 (NLRP3), caspase-1, TNF-α, and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) expression together with interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 levels were examined.

KEY FINDING

MRT, in a dose-dependent manner, prevented the macroscopic and microscopic colonic damage and corrected the oxidative stress induced by AA. Moreover, MRT decreased the colonic tissue NLRP3 inflammasome, caspase-1, NF-κB, TNF-α expressions, IL-1β, and IL-18 levels that were elevated in colonic tissue by the AA.

SIGNIFICANCE

MRT has a dose-dependent protective effect against UC that was mediated mainly by its anti-inflammatory activity with modulation of NLRP3/caspase-1 inflammatory pathway.

Lack of gamma delta T cells ameliorates inflammatory response after acute intestinal ischemia reperfusion in mice

T-cells have been demonstrated to modulate ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) in the kidney, lung, liver, and intestine. Whereas most T-cell subpopulations contribute primarily to the antigen-specific effector and memory phases of immunity, γδ-T-cells combine adaptive features with rapid, innate-like responses that can place them in the initiation phase of immune reactions. Therefore, we aimed to clarify the role of γδ-T-cells in intestinal IRI. Adult wild-type (WT) and γδ-T-cell-deficient mice were subjected to acute intestinal IRI. Gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and influx of leukocyte subpopulations in the gut were assessed by qPCR and flow cytometry. Serum transaminases were measured as an indicator of distant organ IRI. Intestinal IRI led to increased influx of neutrophils, pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and LDH/ALT/AST elevation. Selective deficiency of γδ-T-cells significantly decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and neutrophil infiltration in the gut following IRI compared to controls. Furthermore, γδ-T-cell deficiency resulted in decreased LDH and transaminases levels in sera, indicating amelioration of distant organ injury. Increasing evidence demonstrates a key role of T-cell subpopulations in IRI. We demonstrate that γδ-T-cell deficiency ameliorated pro-inflammatory cytokine production, neutrophil recruitment and distant organ injury. Thus, γδ-T-cells may be considered as mediators contributing to the inflammatory response in the acute phase of intestinal IRI.

The Interplay between Autophagy and NLRP3 Inflammasome in Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is characterized by a limited blood supply to organs, followed by the restoration of blood flow and reoxygenation. In addition to ischemia, blood flow recovery can also lead to very harmful injury, especially inflammatory injury. Autophagy refers to the transport of cellular materials to the lysosomes for degradation, leading to the conversion of cellular components and offering energy and macromolecular precursors. It can maintain the balance of synthesis, decomposition and reuse of the intracellular components, and participate in many physiological processes and diseases. Inflammasomes are a kind of protein complex. Under physiological and pathological conditions, as the cellular innate immune signal receptors, inflammasomes sense pathogens to trigger an inflammatory response. TheNLRP3 inflammasome is the most deeply studied inflammasome and is composed of NLRP3, the adaptor apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC) and pro-caspase-1. Its activation triggers the cleavage of pro-interleukin (IL)-1β and pro-IL-18 mediated by caspase-1 and promotes a further inflammatory process. Studies have shown that autophagy and the NLRP3 inflammasome play an important role in the process of I/R injury, but the relevant mechanisms have not been fully explained, especially how the interaction between autophagy and the NLRP3 inflammasome participates in I/R injury, which remains to be further studied. Therefore, we reviewed the recent studies about the interplay between autophagy and the NLRP3 inflammasome in I/R injury and analyzed the mechanisms to provide the theoretical references for further research in the future.

Activation of autophagy inhibits nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome activation and attenuates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in diabetic rats

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

Diabetic hearts are more vulnerable to ischemia-reperfusion injury (I/RI). The activation of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome can mediate the inflammatory process, and hence might contribute to myocardial I/RI. Activation of autophagy can eliminate excess reactive oxygen species and alleviate myocardial I/RI in diabetes. The present study aimed to investigate whether the activation of autophagy can alleviate diabetic myocardial I/RI through inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A dose of 65 mg/kg streptozotocin was given by tail vein injection to establish a type 1 diabetes model in the rats. The left anterior descending coronary artery was ligated for 30 min followed by reperfusion for 2 h to establish a myocardial I/RI model. H9C2 cardiomyocytes were exposed to high glucose (33 mmol/L) and subjected to hypoxia-reoxygenation (6 h hypoxia followed by 4 h reoxygenation).

RESULTS

The diabetic rats showed significant inhibition of cardiac autophagy (decreased LC3-II/I and increased p62) that was concomitant with increased activation of NLRP3 inflammasome (increased NLRP3, apoptosis-related spots protein cleaved caspase-1, interleukin-18, interleukin-1β) and more severe myocardial I/RI (elevated creatine kinase myocardial band, lactate dehydrogenase and larger infarct size). However, administration of rapamycin, an inhibitor of the autophagy, to activate autophagy resulted in the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome, and finally alleviated myocardial I/RI. In vitro, high glucose inhibited autophagy, while activating NLRP3 inflammasome in H9C2 cardiomyocytes and aggravating hypoxia-reoxygenation injury, but rapamycin reversed these adverse effects of high glucose.

CONCLUSION

Activation of autophagy can suppress the formation of NLRP3 inflammasome, which in turn attenuates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in diabetic rats.

IL-37 Gene Modification Enhances the Protective Effects of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells on Intestinal Ischemia Reperfusion Injury

Background

Ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) is the major cause of intestinal damage in clinic. Although either mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) or interleukin 37 (IL-37) shows some beneficial roles to ameliorate IRI, their effects are limited. In this study, the preventative effects of IL-37 gene-modified MSCs (IL-37-MSCs) on intestinal IRI are investigated.

Methods

Intestinal IRI model was established by occluding the superior mesenteric artery for 30 minutes and then reperfused for 72 hours in rats. Forty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the sham control, IL-37-MSC-treated, MSC-treated, recombinant IL-37- (rIL-37-) treated, and untreated groups. Intestinal damage was assessed by H&E staining. The levels of gut barrier function factors (diamine oxidase and D-Lactate) and inflammation cytokine IL-1β were assayed using ELISA. The synthesis of tissue damage-related NLRP3 inflammasome and downstream cascade reactions including cleaved caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 was detected by western blot. The mRNA levels of proinflammatory mediators IL-6 and TNF-α, which are downstream of IL-1β and IL-18, were determined by qPCR. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) after the normality test and followed by post hoc analysis with the least significant difference (LSD) test.

Results

IL-37-MSCs were able to migrate to the damaged tissue and significantly inhibit intestinal IRI. As compared with MSCs or the rIL-37 monotherapy group, IL-37-MSC treatment both improved gut barrier function and decreased local and systemic inflammation cytokine IL-1β level in IRI rats. In addition, tissue damage-related NLRP3 and downstream targets (cleaved caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18) were significantly decreased in IRI rats treated with IL-37-MSCs. Furthermore, IL-1β- and IL-18-related proinflammatory mediator IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA expressions were all significantly decreased in IRI rats treated with IL-37-MSCs.

Conclusion

The results suggest that IL-37 gene modification significantly enhances the protective effects of MSCs against intestinal IRI. In addition, NLRP3-related signaling pathways could be associated with IL-37-MSC-mediated protection.

Oxygen homeostasis and cardiovascular disease: A role for HIF?

Hypoxia, the decline of tissue oxygen stress, plays a role in mediating cellular processes. Cardiovascular disease, relatively widespread with increased mortality, is closely correlated with oxygen homeostasis regulation. Besides, hypoxia-inducible factor-1(HIF-1) is reported to be a crucial component in regulating systemic hypoxia-induced physiological and pathological modifications like oxidative stress, damage, angiogenesis, vascular remodeling, inflammatory reaction, and metabolic remodeling. In addition, HIF1 controls the movement, proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation and activity of numerous core cells, such as cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells (ECs), smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and macrophages. Here we review the molecular regulation of HIF-1 in cardiovascular diseases, intended to improve therapeutic approaches for clinical diagnoses. Better knowledge of the oxygen balance control and the signal mechanisms involved is important to advance the development of hypoxia-related diseases.

Terlipressin relieves intestinal and renal injuries induced by acute mesenteric ischemia via PI3K/Akt pathway

Background: To date, the effect of vasopressin on organ damages after acute mesenteric ischemia (MI) remains poorly understood. Aims: To investigate the effect of terlipressin, a selective vasopressin V1 receptor agonist, versus norepinephrine on the intestinal and renal injuries after acute MI, and to explore the underlying mechanism of terlipressin. Methods: Acute MI model was produced by clamping the superior mesenteric artery for 1 hour. Immediately after unclamping, terlipressin or norepinephrine was intravenously administered for 2 hours. Meanwhile, in vitro, RAW264.7 cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide or lipopolysaccharide+terlipressin. In addition, wortmannin was used to determine the role of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/ protein kinase B (Akt) pathway in the potential impacts of terlipressin. Results: MI led to severe hypotension, caused notable intestinal and renal impairments and resulted in high mortality, which were markedly improved by terlipressin or norepinephrine. Terlipressin increased mean arterial pressure, decreased intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis, inhibited the generation of M1 macrophage in intestinal and renal tissues, and hindered the release of inflammatory cytokines after MI. Moreover, in cultured macrophages, terlipressin reduced the mRNA level of specific M1 markers and the release of inflammatory cytokines caused by lipopolysaccharide challenge. Wortmannin decreased the expression of PI3K and Akt induced by terlipressin in cells and in tissues, and abolished the above protective effects conferred by terlipressin. Conclusions: Terlipressin or norepinephrine could effectively improve organ damages and mortality after acute MI. Terlipressin elevates blood pressure and inhibits intestinal epithelial apoptosis and macrophage M1 polarization via the PI3K/Akt pathway.

Exogenous hydrogen sulfide mitigates LPS + ATP-induced inflammation by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation and promoting autophagy in L02 cells

The aim of this study is to investigate whether exogenous hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) could mitigate lipopolysaccharide (LPS) + Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)-induced inflammation by inhibiting nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation and promoting autophagy in L02 cells. We stimulated L02 cells with different concentrations of LPS, then the cell viability, cell apoptosis, and the protein level of NLRP3 inflammasome were detected by MTT and western blot to determine the appropriate LPS concentration used in this study. The cells were divided into 4 group: the cells in control group were cultured with RPMI-1640 for 23.5 h; the cells in LPS + ATP group were cultured with RPMI-1640 for 0.5 h, then were stimulated with 100 ng/ml LPS for 18 h followed by stimulation with 5 mM ATP for 5 h; the cells in Sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) + LPS + ATP group were pretreated with NaHS for 0.5 h before exposure to LPS for 18 h and ATP for 5 h; the cells in NaHS group were treated with NaHS for 0.5 h, then were cultured with RPMI-1640 for 23 h. Subsequently, the cells in each group were collected, the protein levels of NLRP3, pro-caspase-1, cleaved caspase-1, P62, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), LC3, Beclin-1, and interleukin (IL)-1 beta (β) were detected by western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Our results showed that exogenous H₂S reduced the protein levels of NLRP3, cleaved caspase-1, TLR4, NF-κB, P62, and IL-1β induced by LPS + ATP and increased the ratio of LC3-II/I and the protein levels of Beclin 1 suppressed by LPS + ATP. This study demonstrated that H₂S might suppress LPS + ATP-induced inflammation by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome and promoting autophagy. In conclusion, H₂S might have potential applications in the treatment of aseptic hepatitis.