β-Hydroxybutyric Acid-Induced Bovine Endometrial Epithelial Cell Pyroptosis via Activating P2X7R

Ketosis in dairy cows is linked to endometritis, but the molecular mechanisms are unclear. We investigated whether P2X7R is crucial in ketosis-induced endometritis. Ketotic cows had higher levels of NLRP3, caspase-1, GSDMD, GSDME, and P2X7R in the uterine tissue. β-Hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) exposure in bovine endometrial epithelial cells induced pyroptosis, increased pyroptosis protein and gene expression, and raised pyroptosis rates. P2X7R levels rose with BHBA, and BHBA also increased the level of extracellular ATP. Inhibitors of NLRP3, caspase-1, caspase-3, and P2X7R reduced BHBA-induced pyroptosis. P2X7R inhibition suppressed NLRP3, caspase-1, and caspase-3 activation, preventing pyroptosis. In P2rx7–/– mice with a ketosis model, blood BHBA was lower, and uterine tissue showed less pyroptosis-related protein expression compared to ketotic mice. P2X7R appears to regulate BHBA-induced pyroptosis through NLRP3 and caspase-3 signaling, suggesting it is a potential therapeutic target.