The prognostic value of NLRP1/NLRP3 and its relationship with immune infiltration in human gastric cancer

Mechanisms and effects of NLRP3 in digestive cancers

Inflammasomes are thought to be important mediators of host defense against microbial pathogens and maintenance of gastrointestinal tract homeostasis. They can modulate caspase-1 to promote IL-18 and IL-1β secretion and promote phagocytosis induced by bacterial pathogens. NLRP3 is an inflammasome comprising a multiprotein complex assembled by pattern recognition receptors in the cell cytoplasm. It is a crucial component of the innate immune system. Dysregulation of NLRP3 may contribute to inflammatory diseases and intestinal cancers. Recent research suggests that NLRP3 plays an essential role in tumor development; therefore, intensive study of its mechanism is warranted as it could play a key role in the treatment of digestive system tumors. In this review, we discuss the mechanism and role of NLRP3 in tumors of the digestive system and response strategies to modulate NLRP3 for potential use in tumor treatment.

Screening of novel tumor-associated antigens for lung adenocarcinoma mRNA vaccine development based on pyroptosis phenotype genes

This study aimed to identify new pyroptosis-associated tumor antigens for use in mRNA vaccines and the screening of sensitive LUAD populations suitable for vaccination. The association between tumor immune infiltrating cell abundance and potential tumor antigens was investigated and visualized using the analysis modules of gene expression, clinical outcomes, and somatic copy number variation. In addition, the pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) were clustered, the relative pyroptosis subtypes (PSs) and gene modules were identified, and the prognostic value of the PSs was examined. The expression of key PRGs in two lung adenocarcinoma cell lines was verified by RT-qPCR. Four tumor pyroptosis-associated antigens, CARD8, NAIP, NLRP1, and NLRP3, were screened as potential candidates for LUAD mRNA vaccine development. In the construction of consensus clusters for PRGs, two PSs, PS1 and PS2, were classified, in which patients with PS1 LUAD had a better prognosis. In contrast, patients with PS2 LUAD may have better responsiveness to mRNA vaccine treatment. The key PRGs can be regarded as biomarkers to predict the LUAD prognosis and identify patients suitable for mRNA vaccines. The RT-qPCR results showed that the expression levels of CSMD3, LRP1B, MUC16 and TTN were significantly increased in the two lung adenocarcinoma cell lines, while the expression levels of CARD8, TP53 and ZFHX4 were significantly reduced. The antigens CARD8, NAIP, NLRP1, and NLRP3, which are associated with tumor pyroptosis, could be candidate molecules for LUAD mRNA vaccine development. Patients with PS2 LUAD may be suitable candidates for mRNA vaccine treatment.

Application of pyroptosis score in the treatment and prognosis evaluation of gastric cancer

Pyroptosis is a kind of proinflammatory programmed cell death mediated by inflammasome. It affects the occurrence and development of gastric cancer through different ways, showing dual effects. On the one hand, inflammasome-mediated inflammatory response is highly likely to participate in the formation and development of early tumors; on the other hand, drugs can inhibit the deterioration process of tumor proliferation, invasion and metastasis through activating the pathways of inflammasome and pyroptosis. Recently, many agents based on pyroptosis have been found to inhibit gastric cancer by promoting the secondary pyroptosis pathway, regulating NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and inhibiting caspase-1. The establishment of cell pyrodeath models can predict the prognosis of gastric cancer patients. Most of the models show that gastric cancer patients with high pyroptosis level have better prognosis and longer overall survival. Pyroptosis scores can also be used to predict the response of gastric cancer patients to immunotherapy and to screen potential anti-gastric cancer drugs. Therefore, in-depth understanding of the potential mechanism of pyroptosis affecting the progression of gastric cancer and the role of pyroptosis score in the treatment and prognosis assessment of gastric cancer will be helpful to find a new and effective method for the treatment of gastric cancer.