scholarly journals Short Exposure to Ethanol Diminishes Caspase-1 and ASC Activation in Human HepG2 Cells In Vitro

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 3196
Author(s):  
Jason-Alexander Hörauf ◽  
Shinwan Kany ◽  
Andrea Janicova ◽  
Baolin Xu ◽  
Teodora Vrdoljak ◽  
...  

This paper discusses how the assembly of pro-caspase-1 and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase-recruitment domain (ASC) in macromolecular protein complexes, inflammasomes, activates caspase-1. The present study investigates the molecular mechanisms of inflammasome activation in HepG2 cells and examines how short exposures to ethanol (EtOH) affect inflammasome activation. HepG2 cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), ATP or nigericin (NIG) in a two-step model. After LPS priming, ATP or NIG were added. As inhibitors, sodium orthovanadate (general inhibitor of tyrosine phosphatases), AC-YVAD-CMK (caspase-1 inhibitor) or AZ10606120 (purinergic receptor P2X7R inhibitor) were applied after LPS priming. To monitor the inflammasome activation, the caspase-1 activity, ASC speck formation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cell death were analyzed. To elucidate the mechanistical approach of EtOH to the inflammasome assembly, the cells were treated with EtOH either under simultaneous LPS administration or concurrently with ATP or NIG application. The co-stimulation with LPS and ATP induced a significant ASC speck formation, caspase-1 activation, cell death and ROS generation. The inhibition of the ATP-dependent purinoreceptor P2X7 decreased the caspase-1 activation, whereas sodium orthovanadate significantly induced caspase-1. Additional treatment with EtOH reversed the LPS and ATP-induced caspase-1 activation, ASC speck formation and ROS production. The ASC speck formation and caspase-1 induction require a two-step signaling with LPS and ATP in HepG2 cells. Inflammasome activation may depend on P2X7. The molecular pathway of an acute effect of EtOH on inflammasomes may involve a reduction in ROS generation, which in turn may increase the activity of tyrosine phosphatases.

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tian Shen ◽  
Tao Lei ◽  
Lin Chen ◽  
Bing-Bing Zhu ◽  
Bi-Lin Xu ◽  
...  

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)is accompanied by typical inflammatory damage and cell death. As a pro-inflammatory form of cell death, pyroptosis participates in important pathological processes involved in NAFLD. Regulatory roles of both CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) have been reported in NAFLD, but it is still unclear whether the mechanism of action of gardenoside, a potential therapeutic for NAFLD, can be driven via these proteins. In this study, the direct interaction between CTCF and DPP4 was first confirmed by a dual-luciferase reporter assay system. Then, a cell model of NAFLD was established by induction with palmitic acid (PA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). A mouse NAFLD model was established, and the effect of gardenoside on both the cell and mouse models of NAFLD was also investigated. Increased lipid accumulation, NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and hepatocyte pyroptosis were recorded in NAFLD in vitro and in vivo. Gardenoside treatment effectively reduced the lipid accumulation, increased cell viability, reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and attenuated pyroptosis and apoptosis in NAFLD in the in vitro and in vivo models. Alterations in these biological processes were evidenced by the decreased expression levels of several pro-pyroptotic markers including the NLR family, pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-related speckle-like protein (ASC), caspase-1 p20, Gasdermin D N-terminal domain (GSDMD-N), and IL-1β, along with simultaneously decreased CTCF and DPP4 levels. Importantly, CTCF silencing or DPP4 silencing exhibited effects similar to gardenoside treatment, while CTCF overexpression counteracted this trend, which indicated that CTCF might be a target responsible for gardenoside-induced alleviation of NAFLD, such therapeutic effects might be achieved through controlling the expression of the direct target of CTCF (DPP4) and several downstream molecules. In general, the current study provides a promising strategy for NAFLD treatment.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lili Li ◽  
Xiaohui Zhu ◽  
Xingxing Chai ◽  
Xiaoyu Chen ◽  
Xiaohua Su ◽  
...  

Abstract Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori ) is a major pathogenic factor for the development of gastric diseases including chronic gastritis and gastric cancer. Callicarpa nudiflora (CN), an air-dried leaves extract of Callicarpa nudiflora Hook. & Arn., has been found to exhibit a broad-spectrum antibacterial effect. In our study, we extracted the active ingredient from air-dried leaves of Callicarpa nudiflora, detected the effect of CN against H. pylori -infected GES-1 cells in vitro , and elucidated the underlying mechanism. GES-1 cells were cocultured with HPSS1 at MOI = 100:1 and treated with different concentrations of CN. Results indicated that CN not only significantly decreased cellular lactate dehydrogenase leakage, but also markedly attenuated H. pylori -induced cell apoptosis and ROS production in GSE-1 cells, therefore protecting gastric epithelial cells against injuries caused by H. pylori . CN also inhibited the secretions of inflammatory factors, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8. Furthermore, CN remarkably decreased the expression levels of NLRP3, PYCARD, active Caspase-1. In conclusion, CN exhibited highly efficient protective effect against H. pylori -induced gastritis and cell damage; Mechanismly, CN suppressed H. pylori -triggered inflammatory response and pyroptosis through depressing ROS production and NLRP3 inflammasome activation via ROS/NLRP3/IL-1β signaling axis.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Hubbard ◽  
Chun Zhai ◽  
Gary Peng

Abstract Background: Blackleg disease, caused by Leptosphaeria maculans (Lm), can lead to significant losses of canola/rapeseed crops. Growing resistant canola cultivars can be an effective and environmentally friendly way to manage blackleg. Major resistance genes may stop infection, but can also be rapidly overcome by shifts in pathogen population towards virulence. Thus, using race-nonspecific or quantitative resistance (QR) is of interest because it is potentially more durable. However, the mechanisms and genes underlying QR are mostly unknown. In this study, we explored QR in “74‑44 BL”, a Canadian canola cultivar carrying a moderate level of race nonspecific resistance, based on cotyledon inoculation (Supple. Fig.1) . The susceptible cultivar “Westar” was used as a control. Lesions developed more slowly on 74-44BL than on Westar. We used RNA-Seq to identify genes and gene functions putatively involved in the QR. Results: Relative to inoculated Westar, some of the B. napus genes that were differentially expressed strongly in inoculated 74-44 BL included those putatively involved in programmed cell death (PCD), reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, signal transduction and/or intracellular endomembrane transport. Examples included genes annotated as a Bax inhibitor 1, a development/cell death (DCD) domain containing proteinases and peptidases, all of which could play a role in PCD and a zinc-finger Sec23/Sec24 and five small GTPases likely involved in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to Golgi vesicle traffic and/or signal transduction. Further experiments, however, did not confirm changes in genomic DNA degradation, a potential marker for PCD, between the two cultivars. In addition, infection progression in cotyledons was not altered by applying protease inhibitors directly to cotyledons. Additional testing was done using green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged Lm for cotyledon colonization as well as ROS production, in relation to the lesion development. The results showed that ROS production occurred beyond the area colonized by Lm hyphae in 74-44 BL.Conclusions: ROS may also be involved in signal transduction and/or intracellular endomembrane transport. These results provide a starting point for a better understanding of the mechanisms behind QR against Lm in canola and developing new host-resistance strategies for management of blackleg.


2007 ◽  
Vol 204 (5) ◽  
pp. 987-994 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Henry ◽  
Anna Brotcke ◽  
David S. Weiss ◽  
Lucinda J. Thompson ◽  
Denise M. Monack

Francisella tularensis is a pathogenic bacterium whose virulence is linked to its ability to replicate within the host cell cytosol. Entry into the macrophage cytosol activates a host-protective multimolecular complex called the inflammasome to release the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and -18 and trigger caspase-1–dependent cell death. In this study, we show that cytosolic F. tularensis subspecies novicida (F. novicida) induces a type I interferon (IFN) response that is essential for caspase-1 activation, inflammasome-mediated cell death, and release of IL-1β and -18. Extensive type I IFN–dependent cell death resulting in macrophage depletion occurs in vivo during F. novicida infection. Type I IFN is also necessary for inflammasome activation in response to cytosolic Listeria monocytogenes but not vacuole-localized Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium or extracellular adenosine triphosphate. These results show the specific connection between type I IFN signaling and inflammasome activation, which are two sequential events triggered by the recognition of cytosolic bacteria. To our knowledge, this is the first example of the positive regulation of inflammasome activation. This connection underscores the importance of the cytosolic recognition of pathogens and highlights how multiple innate immunity pathways interact before commitment to critical host responses.


2009 ◽  
Vol 87 (6) ◽  
pp. 440-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung-Man You ◽  
Su-Jin Yun ◽  
Kyong Nyon Nam ◽  
Chulhun Kang ◽  
Ran Won ◽  
...  

Prolonged stress results in elevation of glucocorticoid (GC) hormones, which can have deleterious effects in the brain. The hippocampus, which has a high concentration of glucocorticoid receptors, is especially vulnerable to increasing levels of GCs. GCs have been suggested to endanger hippocampal neurons by exacerbating the excitotoxic glutamate–calcium–reactive oxygen species (ROS) cascade. In an effort to reveal the mechanisms underlying GC-mediated hippocampal neurotoxicity, we aimed to clarify the molecular pathway of GC-induced ROS increase by using organotypic hippocampal slice cultures. Assays for ROS, using 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate fluorescence, showed that treatment of synthetic GC, dexamethasone (DEX) significantly enhanced ROS levels. Time course and dose response analyses indicated that peak amount of ROS was generated at 4 h after treatment with 50 µmol/L DEX. By contrast, other steroid hormones, progesterone and estradiol did not influence ROS production. N-acetyl-l-cysteine completely suppressed ROS produced by DEX. Propidium iodide staining exhibited prominent cell death in the hippocampal layer after 96 h of DEX treatment. RU486, a GC receptor antagonist, almost completely blocked the effect of DEX on ROS production and cell death, indicating that DEX-induced ROS overproduction and hippocampal death are mediated via GC receptors. Real-time reverse transcriptase PCR analysis demonstrated that after DEX treatment the level of glutathione peroxidase mRNA was decreased whereas that of NADPH oxidase mRNA was significantly enhanced. These findings suggest that excess GCs cause hippocampal damage by regulating genes involved in ROS generation.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sichao Guo ◽  
Xiaokun Geng ◽  
Hangil Lee ◽  
Yuchuan Ding

Abstract A depressive or hibernation-like effect of chlorpromazine and promethazine (C + P) on brain activity was reported to induce neuroprotection, with or without induced-hypothermia. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The current study evaluated the pharmacological function of C + P on the inhibition of neuroinflammatory response and inflammasome activation after ischemia/reperfusion. A total of 72 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 2 h middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by 6 or 24 h reperfusion. At the onset of reperfusion, rats received C + P (8 mg/kg) with temperature control. Brain cell death was detected by measuring CD68 and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels. Inflammasome activation was measured by mRNA levels of NLRP3, IL-1β, and TXNIP, and protein quantities of NLRP3, IL-1β, TXNIP, cleaved-Caspase-1, and IL-18. Activation of JAK2/STAT3 pathway was detected by the phosphorylation of STAT3 (p-STAT3) and JAK2 (p-JAK2), and the co-localization of p-STAT3 and NLRP3. Activation of the p38 pathway was assessed with the protein levels of p-p38/p38. The mRNA and protein levels of HIF-1α, FoxO1, and p-FoxO1, and the co-localization of p-STAT3 with HIF-1α or FoxO1 were quantitated. As expected, C + P significantly reduced cell death and attenuated the neuroinflammatory response as determined by reduced CD68 and MPO. C + P decreased ischemia-induced inflammasome activation, shown by reduced mRNA and protein expressions of NLRP3, IL-1β, TXNIP, cleaved-Caspase-1, and IL-18. Phosphorylation of JAK2/STAT3 and p38 pathways and the co-localization of p-STAT3 with NLRP3 were also inhibited by C + P. Furthermore, mRNA levels of HIF-1α and FoxO1 were decreased in the C + P group. While C + P inhibited HIF-1α protein expression, it increased FoxO1 phosphorylation, which promoted the exclusion of FoxO1 from the nucleus and inhibited FoxO1 activity. At the same time, C + P reduced the co-localization of p-STAT3 with HIF-1α or FoxO1. In conclusion, C + P treatment conferred neuroprotection in stroke by suppressing neuroinflammation and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. The present study suggests that JAK2/STAT3/p38/HIF-1α/FoxO1 are vital regulators and potential targets for efficacious therapy following ischemic stroke.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Peng Lv ◽  
Haoran Liu ◽  
Tao Ye ◽  
Xiaoqi Yang ◽  
Chen Duan ◽  
...  

The roles of the lncRNA X inactive specific transcript (XIST) in many diseases, including cancers and inflammatory sickness, have been previously elucidated. However, renal calculus remained poorly understood. In this study, we revealed the potential effects of XIST on kidney stones that were exerted via inflammatory response and oxidative stress mechanisms. We established a glyoxylate-induced calcium oxalate (CaOx) stone mouse model and exposed HK-2 cells to calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM). The interactions among XIST, miR-223-3p, and NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) and their respective effects were determined by RNAs and protein expression, luciferase activity, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays. Cell necrosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and inflammatory responses were detected after silencing XIST, activating and inhibiting miR-223-3p, and both knocking down XIST and activating miR-223-3p in vitro and in vivo. The XIST, NLRP3, caspase-1, and IL-1β levels were notably increased in kidney samples from glyoxylate-induced CaOx stone model mice. XIST knockdown significantly suppressed the inflammatory damage and ROS production and further attenuated oxalate crystal deposition. miRNA-223-3p mimics also exerted the same effects. Moreover, we verified the interactions among XIST, miRNA-223-3p and NLRP3, and the subsequent effects. Our results suggest that the lncRNA XIST participates in the formation and progression of renal calculus by interacting with miR-223-3p and the NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-1β pathway to mediate the inflammatory response and ROS production.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
De-Long Kong ◽  
Fan-Yun Kong ◽  
Xiang-Ye Liu ◽  
Chao Yan ◽  
Jie Cui ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Inflammation-induced dysfunction of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is involved in schistosomiasis-associated liver fibrosis, and soluble egg antigen (SEA) is a crucial pathogen-associated molecular pattern associated with liver injury in schistosomiasis. In addition, numerous studies have shown that caspase-1-mediated pyroptosis participates in the development of multiple inflammation-related diseases. However, whether pyroptotic cell death of HSCs is involved in SEA-mediated liver damage is not well understood. Methods Primary cultured HSCs and Schistosoma japonicum-infected mouse liver tissue were analysed for histological changes and caspase-1 activation, and the role of pyroptosis in the mechanisms underlying SEA-induced HSC death was investigated. Accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in infected livers and SEA-stimulated HSCs was measured by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. Results Caspase-1 activity was elevated in both liver tissues and HSCs of S. japonicum-infected mice. Furthermore, SEA stimulation increased the proportion of pyroptotic HSCs, as shown by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays and by flow cytometric analysis of propidium iodide (PI) and caspase-1 double staining in cells. In addition, ROS generation was elevated in infected liver tissues and SEA-stimulated HSCs, and ROS inhibition downregulated SEA-induced caspase-1 activation and pyroptosis in HSCs. Conclusions Our present study demonstrates that pyroptotic cell death in HSCs induced by SEA via ROS-mediated caspase-1 activation may serve as a significant mechanism to initiate the inflammatory response and thereby exacerbate liver injury during S. japonicum infection.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1069-1082 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yufang Wang ◽  
Peiliang Shi ◽  
Qin Chen ◽  
Zan Huang ◽  
Dayuan Zou ◽  
...  

Abstract Disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation are often associated with macrophage pyroptosis. It remains unclear how these forms of mitochondrial dysfunction relate to inflammasome activation and gasdermin-D (Gsdmd) cleavage, two central steps of the pyroptotic process. Here, we also found MMP collapse and ROS generation induced by Nlrp3 inflammasome activation as previous studies reported. The elimination of ROS alleviated the cleavage of Gsdmd, suggesting that Gsdmd cleavage occurs downstream of ROS release. Consistent with this result, hydrogen peroxide treatment augmented the cleavage of Gsdmd by caspase-1. Indeed, four amino acid residues of Gsdmd were oxidized under oxidative stress in macrophages. The efficiency of Gsdmd cleavage by inflammatory caspase-1 was dramatically reduced when oxidative modification was blocked by mutation of these amino acid residues. These results demonstrate that Gsdmd oxidation serves as a de novo mechanism by which mitochondrial ROS promote Nlrp3 inflammasome-dependent pyroptotic cell death.


Inflammasome ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mélanie Bodnar ◽  
Virginie Petrilli

AbstractInflammasomes are multi-protein complexes that play a crucial role in innate immunity. They are assembled by cytosolic sensors of the Nucleotide-binding domain and Leucine-rich repeat containing Receptor (NLR) and PYrin and HIN (PYHIN) domain-containing protein families upon sensing various pathogens and danger signals. Inflammasome formation culminates in caspase-1 activation, which causes the cleavage of pro-IL-1β and pro- IL-18 into active cytokines; this eventually results in the induction of an inflammatory cell death called pyroptosis. Recent data using Gram-negative bacteria suggests a role for caspase-11 not only in NLRP3 inflammasome activation but also in a caspase-1- and inflammasome-independent cell death. This novel caspase-11-dependent pathway is critical to control infection by Gram-negative bacteria and has been named the noncanonical inflammasome.


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