Journal of Inflammation Research
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2025
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IF 4.1
Qi Shi,Tingting Hu,Lixia Xu,Jiayuanyuan Fu,Yehong Fang,Yu Lan,Weijia Fan,Qiaoli Wu,Xiaoguang Tong,Hua Yan
Background Acute lung injury (ALI) is a serious yet common complication in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), often associated with poor prognosis. The development of TBI-induced ALI is closely associated with excessive oxidative stress and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Fingolimod, an immunomodulatory agent, has been reported to attenuate inflammatory responses, restore blood-brain barrier integrity, reduce cerebral edema, and mitigate associated neurological deficits.Objective This study aimed to investigate the mechanistic role of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in TBI-induced ALI and to evaluate the therapeutic potential of fingolimod in targeting this inflammatory pathway.Results A rat TBI model was established using the classical free-fall method, and animals were treated with fingolimod (0.5 or 1 mg/kg) daily for three days. The TBI model rats presented with clear signs of histopathological pulmonary damage, an increase in the permeability of capillaries in the lung, and pulmonary edema that coincided with significantly increased NLRP3, caspase-1, and ASC expression in lung tissue samples. This overexpression of NLRP3 inflammasome machinery resulted in the release of IL-1β. Fingolimod treatment, however, reversed all of these effects such that it suppressed NLRP3 activity and normalized levels of IL-1β, leading to the alleviation of inflammation. In line with these results, LPS and nigericin (NLRP3 agonist)-treated NR8383 cells treated using fingolimod exhibited reductions in reactive oxygen species production and NLRP3 inflammasome activation.Conclusion These findings suggest that NLRP3 inflammasome activation and oxidative stress are key mediators of TBI-induced ALI. Fingolimod exerts protective effects against this condition by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent for TBI-associated pulmonary complications.
研究领域:
医学
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免疫学
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神经科学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
FASEB JOURNAL
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2025
·Vol. 39
·期 9
·e70561
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IF 4.2
Haocong Zhang,Xianyun Qin,Hong Yuan,Liangbi Xiang,Hailong Yu
Neuronal inflammation and apoptosis aggravate the secondary injury after spinal cord injury (SCI). Cathepsin L (CTSL) is a lysosomal cysteine protease with effects on the regulation of inflammation, but its role in SCI remains unclear. The in vivo T10 mouse spinal cord contusion model was established. The results showed that CTSL expression was increased following SCI and then gradually decreased. Moreover, CTSL was mainly expressed in microglia. To detect the function of CTSL, after contusive injury, the mice were immediately injected with lentiviruses carrying CTSL shRNA. The results showed that CTSL depletion promoted functional recovery, accompanied by increased locomotor ability. CTSL deficiency reduced lesion cavity areas by inhibiting neuronal apoptosis and neuroinflammation. Indeed, CTSL deficiency decreased the secretion of TNF-α, IL-6, and MCP-1 and M1 microglia polarization in the spinal cord. CTSL depletion inhibited the expression and assembly of NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. In vitro, CTSL expression was increased in LPS-treated BV2 cells. CTSL silencing repressed LPS-induced M1 polarization, as evidenced by the reduction in TNF-α, IL-6, and MCP-1 expression in the supernatant of BV2 cells. CTSL knockdown induced the downregulation of NLRP3 expression and activation. The inhibition role of CTSL knockdown in microglial inflammation and M1 polarization was reversed by NLRP3 agonist. Collectively, the study suggests that CTSL induces the microglia M1 polarization-mediated inflammation via promoting NLRP3 activation and thereby inhibits functional recovery after SCI. Graphical The inhibition of CTSL improves functional recovery and alleviates neuroinflammation through microglial polarization after spinal cord injury. Mechanically, CTSL knockdown inhibited NLRP3 expression and activation, which repressed the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in M1 microglia, thereby inhibiting spinal cord injury-induced neuroinflammation.
研究领域:
神经科学
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免疫学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY
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2023
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IF 3.8
Jiayuan Li,Jiahe Yu,Jianyou Guo,Jinfeng Liu,Guohui Wan,Xiaojia Wei,Xue Yang,Jinli Shi
Context Levodopa combined with traditional Chinese medicine has a synergistic effect on Parkinson’s disease (PD). Recently, we demonstrated that Nardostachys jatamansi (D. Don) DC. [syn. Patrinia jatamansi D.Don, N. grandiflora DC.] (Valerianaceae) (NJ) can alleviate PD.Objective To explore the synergistic effect of NJ combined with levodopa against PD.Materials and methods The PD model was established by injecting rotenone. Eighty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into seven groups: sham, model, different doses of NJ (0.31, 0.62, or 1.24 g/kg) combined with levodopa (25 mg/kg), and levodopa alone (25 and 50 mg/kg) groups. The synergistic effect of the combination was investigated by pharmacodynamic investigation and detection of expression of nuclear factor erythro2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and NLR family proteins containing Pyrin-related domain 3 (NLRP3) pathways.Results Compared with the model group, NJ + levodopa (1.24 g/kg + 25 mg/kg) increased the moving distance of PD rats in the open field (2395.34 ± 668.73 vs. 1501.41 ± 870.23, p < 0.01), enhanced the stay time on the rotating rod (84.86 ± 18.15 vs. 71.36 ± 17.53, p < 0.01) and the combination was superior to other treatments. The synergistic effects were related to NJ + levodopa (1.24 g/kg + 25 mg/kg) increasing the neurotransmitter levels by 38.80%-88.67% in PD rats, and inhibiting oxidative stress and NLRP3 pathway by activating Nrf2 pathway.Discussion and conclusions NJ combined with levodopa is a promising therapeutic candidate for PD, which provides a scientific basis for the subsequent clinical combination therapy of levodopa to enhance the anti-PD effect.
研究领域:
神经学
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药理学
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中医
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动物模型
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Scientific Reports
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2025
·Vol. 15
·期 1
·1-16
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IF 3.9
Chen Chunxia,Huang Huan,Zhang Haofeng,Huang Junli,Zhou Xing,Xie Xixiang,Liao Xiaoling,Zhou Yao,Cai Fangqi,Chen Guirong,Xie Yuping,Huang Luying
The TLR4/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway drives lung cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasiveness. However, no in vivo treatments targeting this pathway in lung cancer exist. Resveratrol, an anti-inflammatory compound, inhibits the NLRP3 inflammasome but requires high doses due to its hydrophobicity and instability. This study aimed to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of resveratrol by encapsulating it in liposomes to effectively target the TLR4/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in lung cancer. In this study, the efficacy of resveratrol liposome was tested in vitro through cell proliferation and migration assays and gene expression analysis. In vivo effects were evaluated in a lung cancer mouse model using histological and molecular techniques. Resveratrol liposome significantly inhibited lung cancer cell proliferation and migration, and induced apoptosis in orthotopic lung cancer models. Additionally, by suppressing TLR4/NLRP3 inflammasome-related genes, resveratrol liposomes diminished levels of IL-1β and IL-18 both locally at tumor sites and systemically, thus modulating the tumor immune microenvironment by decreasing MDSCs and increasing CD4 + and CD8 + T cells. In conclusion, resveratrol liposome alleviates lung cancer progression by targeting the TLR4/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway and enhancing anti-tumor immune responses, highlighting its potential as a promising therapeutic strategy for lung cancer treatment.
研究领域:
药理学
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肿瘤学
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免疫学
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纳米技术
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分子生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
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2024
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IF 6
Zhiran Ju,Junde Xu,Keshuang Tang,Fener Chen
COX-2/NLPR3-targeted therapy might be beneficial for the inflammation diseases. To discover novel anti-inflammatory compounds with favorable safety profiles, three new series of non-carboxylic diclofenac analogues bearing various ring systems, such as oxadiazoles 4a - 4w , triazoles 6a - 6m , and cyclic imides 7a and 7b , were synthesized. The synthesized analogues were evaluated for their inhibitory activity against COX-2 enzyme. Among them, compound 6k exhibited potent selective COX-2 inhibition (IC 50 = 1.53 μM; selectivity ((IC 50 (COX-1)/IC 50 (COX-2) = 17.19). Treatment with compound 6k effectively suppressed the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway, resulting in reduced expression of pro-inflammatory factors. The in vivo ulcerative colitis assay demonstrated that compound 6k significantly ameliorated histological damages and showed strong protection against DSS-induced acute colitis. The collected results indicated that compound 6k displays anti-inflammatory activity through COX-2/NLRP3 inhibition. Therefore, compound 6k represents a promising candidate for further development as a new lead compound with reduced colitis side effects.
研究领域:
药理学
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药物化学
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炎症研究
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
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2023
·Vol. 24
·期 19
·14771
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IF 5.6
Pan Lei,Zhiyang Li,Qiuwei Hua,Ping Song,Lun Gao,Long Zhou,Qiang Cai
The neuroinflammatory response after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) causes a large amount of neuronal loss, and inhibiting the inflammatory response can improve the prognosis. In previous laboratory studies and clinical trials, ursolic acid (UA) inhibited the inflammatory response, but whether it can be administered to inhibit the neuroinflammatory response after cerebral hemorrhage is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ursolic acid after cerebral hemorrhage. Online databases were used to obtain potential therapeutic targets of ursolic acid for the treatment of cerebral hemorrhage, and possible mechanisms were analyzed by KEGG, GO, and molecular docking. A rat model of cerebral hemorrhage was established using collagenase, and an in vitro cerebral hemorrhage model was constructed by adding hemin to BV2 cell culture medium. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blotting (WB), immunofluorescence, TUNEL staining, and calcein/PI staining were used to investigate the degree of microglial M1 polarization, changes in the levels of inflammatory factors, activation of the NF-κB pathway, and changes in the indicators of cellular death after ursolic acid treatment. In addition, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) was used to activate the NF-κB pathway to verify that ursolic acid exerts its anti-neuroinflammatory effects by regulating the NF-κB/NLRP3/GSDMD pathway. Network pharmacology and bioinformatics analyses revealed that ursolic acid may exert its therapeutic effects on cerebral hemorrhage through multiple pathways. Together, in vivo and in vitro experiments showed that ursolic acid inhibited microglial M1 polarization and significantly reduced the levels of p-NF-κB, GSDMD-N, cleaved caspase-1, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, which were significantly inhibited by the use of PMA. Ursolic acid inhibits microglial pyroptosis via the NF-κB/NLRP3/GSDMD pathway to alleviate neuroinflammatory responses after cerebral hemorrhage.Keywords:ursolic acid;neuroinflammation;cerebral hemorrhage;microglial;pyroptosis
研究领域:
神经科学
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药理学
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分子生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF DRUG TARGETING
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2019
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IF 3.277
Yan Jiang,Hongjiao Du,Xue Liu,Xi Fu,Xiaodong Li,Qian Cao
There is increasing evidence that atherosclerosis is the significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, which are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Artemisinin is a natural endoperoxides quiterpene lactone compound in Artemisia annua L with vasculoprotective effects. The primary aim of this study was to investigate whether artemisinin could be conferred an anti-atherosclerotic effect in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed ApoE–/– mice and explore the possible mechanism. We found that treatment with artemisinin (50 and 100 mg/kg) effectively ameliorated atherosclerotic lesions, such as foam cell formation, hyperplasia and fibrosis in the aortic intima. Atherosclerotic mice treated with artemisinin showed reduced inflammation by up-regulating adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP) activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation and by down-regulating nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) phosphorylation and nod-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome expression in the aortas. In addition, artemisinin was found to promote AMPK activity in macrophages and its anti-inflammatory effect was neutralised by AMPK silence using specific siRNA. In conclusion, we demonstrate that artemisinin may protect the aortas from atherosclerotic lesions by suppression of inflammatory reaction via AMPK/NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasomes signalling in macrophages.
研究领域:
心血管疾病
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药理学
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分子生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE
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2021
·Vol. 25
·期 18
·8997-9010
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IF 5.31
Chaoqun Nie,Rentong Zou,Shuang Pan,Rong A,Yunan Gao,Hongxiao Yang,Juncai Bai,Shuiqing Xi,Xue Wang,Xiaojian Hong,Wei Yang
It is noteworthy that prolonged cardiac structural changes and excessive fibrosis caused by myocardial infarction (MI) seriously interfere with the treatment of heart failure in clinical practice. Currently, there are no effective and practical means of either prevention or treatment. Thus, novel therapeutic approaches are critical for the long-term quality of life of individuals with myocardial ischaemia. Herein, we aimed to explore the protective effect of H 2 , a novel gas signal molecule with anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory effects, on cardiac remodelling and fibrosis in MI rats, and to explore its possible mechanism. First, we successfully established MI model rats, which were then exposed to H 2 inhalation with 2% concentration for 28 days (3 hours/day). The results showed that hydrogen gas can significantly improve cardiac function and reduce the area of cardiac fibrosis. In vitro experiments further proved that H 2 can reduce the hypoxia-induced damage to cardiomyocytes and alleviate angiotensin II-induced migration and activation of cardiac fibroblasts. In conclusion, herein, we illustrated for the first time that inhalation of H 2 ameliorates myocardial infarction-induced cardiac remodelling and fibrosis in MI rats and exert its protective effect mainly through inhibiting NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis.
研究领域:
心脏病学
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药理学
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分子生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Obesity
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2020
·Vol. 28
·期 7
·1270-1282
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IF 3.742
Tao Zheng,Qibin Wang,Yongcheng Dong,Weidong Ma,Yonghong Zhang,Yan Zhao,Fang Bian,Li Chen
Objective This study aimed to investigate whether the NLRP3 inflammasome in Kupffer cells (KCs) can be activated in response to high glucose (HG) and to evaluate its influence on hepatic insulin sensitivity. Methods Primary KCs and hepatocytes were isolated from mice, and lipid accumulation, glucose output, and insulin sensitivity of hepatocytes were investigated after culturing either alone or with KCs exposed to HG. The influence of HG-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation in KCs on insulin sensitivity of hepatocytes was examined. Treatment with gadolinium trichloride caused KC depletion, and, subsequently, a streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemic mouse model was used to confirm the influence of KCs on hepatic insulin sensitivity. Results Hepatocytes cocultured with KCs showed enhanced lipid accumulation, glucose output, and impaired insulin sensitivity when exposed to HG. Enhanced NLRP3 inflammasome activation was also evident in both hepatocytes and KCs. Moreover, KCs that were pretreated with caspase-1 inhibitor, NLRP3 inhibitor, and NLRP3 small interfering RNA corrected coculture-induced aberrances in insulin action and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in hepatocytes. KC coculture also increased interleukin-1β (IL-1β)–mediated nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation in hepatocytes. In hyperglycemic mice, KC depletion inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation and improved hepatic insulin sensitivity. Conclusions NLRP3 inflammasome activation impaired insulin sensitivity through KC-derived IL-1β–mediated NF-κB activation in hepatocytes exposed to HG.
研究领域:
内分泌学
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免疫学
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分子生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Redox Biology
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2022
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IF 10.787
Meng Song,Zijun Chen,Ruian Qiu,Tingwei Zhi,Wenmin Xie,Yingya Zhou,Nachuan Luo,Fuqian Chen,Fang Liu,Chuangpeng Shen,Sheng Lin,Fengxue Zhang,Yong Gao,Changhui Liu
The excessive accumulation of bile acids (BA) in hepatocytes can trigger inflammatory response and recruit macrophages, thereby accelerating cholestatic liver injury. The crosstalk between hepatocytes and macrophages has been recently implicated in the pathogenesis of cholestasis; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we demonstrated that BA initiate NLRP3 inflammasome activation in hepatocytes to release proinflammatory cytokines and promote the communication between hepatocytes and macrophages, thus enhancing liver inflammation in an NLRP3-dependent manner. NLRP3-inhibition by geniposidic acid (GPA), a novel NLRP3-specific covalent inhibitor that directly interacts with NLRP3, in hepatocytes and macrophages abated BA-induced inflammation. Moreover, NLRP3 -deletion or its inhibition mitigated ANIT-induced cholestatic inflammation, whereas disrupting the crosstalk between hepatic macrophages and hepatocytes attenuated the hepatoprotective effect of GPA against ANIT-induced cholestatic inflammation. Therefore, blocking this crosstalk by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for cholestasis.
研究领域:
肝病学
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免疫学
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药理学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
CELL DEATH AND DIFFERENTIATION
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2025
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IF 15.4
Zeng Ke,Zhu Yuqi,Han Zhongxin,Xiong Siyi,Zhao Yan,Xiao Zilong,Xie Yingchao,Jin Shiyu,Dong Tingru,Lan Lan,Liu Weiwei,Du Yongzhong,Guan Cuiping,Yu Xiao,Song Xiuzu
NLRP3 functions as a critical intracellular danger sensor for inflammasome activation, playing a crucial role in autoimmune diseases. Vitiligo progression has been linked to NLRP3, yet its specific involvement in melanocytes of vitiligo remains poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that NLRP3 expression is significantly upregulated in the melanocytes of vitiligo patients and melanoma-Treg-induced vitiligo mouse model. Genetic knockout of NLRP3 effectively alleviates vitiligo progression in these mice. Our mechanistic investigations reveal that the downregulation of the E3 ligase β-TrCP1 in vitiligo melanocytes decreases K27-linked ubiquitination levels of NLRP3, which in turn weakens its interaction with the autophagy receptor NDP52. This disruption impairs the selective autophagic degradation of NLRP3, leading to hyperactivation of inflammation and pyroptosis in melanocytes, thereby accelerating vitiligo pathogenesis. Notably, melanocyte-specific knockdown of NLRP3 using lysine-proline-valine (KPV)-modified deformable liposomes (KPV-Lipos) carrying Nlrp3 shRNA significantly alleviates vitiligo development. This study elucidates the mechanism by which autophagy dysfunction mediated excessive NLRP3 inflammasome activation in melanocytes contributes to vitiligo pathogenesis, highlighting potential therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways for the treatment of vitiligo and other pigment-related skin diseases. Overview of disrupted NLRP3 autophagic degradation in vitiligo melanocytes . In healthy melanocytes, NLRP3 expression is upregulated when subjected to oxidative stress, along with an increase in the E3 ligase β-TrCP1, which enhances the K27-linked ubiquitination of NLRP3 and further strengthens its binding to the autophagy receptor protein NDP52, thus effectively suppressing the excessive inflammatory response. Whereas in the melanocytes of vitiligo patients, decreased expression of β-TrCP1 leads to downregulation of K27-linked ubiquitination in NLRP3, thus inhibiting its autophagic degradation. The persistent activation of NLRP3 in vitiligo melanocytes promotes the cleavage of pro-IL-1β and GSDMD. GSDMD-N subsequently forms pores on the cell membrane, which causes the release of IL-1β and results in melanocyte pyroptosis. In our study, we utilize KPV-Lipos with Nlrp3 shRNA to precisely knockdown NLRP3 expression in melanocytes and effectively alleviate vitiligo development, which provide a potentially promising strategy for the treatment of vitiligo. MC, melanocytes.
研究领域:
皮肤病学
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免疫学
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细胞生物学
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自身免疫性疾病
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分子生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Natural Product Communications
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2021
·
IF 0.986
Wenyu Xin,Ming Jing,Junjie Yang,Meiling Wang,Guige Hou,Qiaoyun Wang,Leiming Zhang,Chunhua Wang
Emerging evidence indicates that NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-induced inflammation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Baicalein has been considered as a possible option for PD treatment based on its anti-neuroinflammatory effects. However, no studies have elucidated the precise mechanisms underlying the anti-neuroinflammatory activity of baicalein, particularly inflammasome-mediated effects. In this present study, rotenone-induced PD mice and BV2 microglia were used to investigate the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of baicalein and explore its underlying mechanism in vivo and in vitro. The results demonstrated that baicalein alleviated motor impairments and attenuated several inflammatory responses in rotenone-induced PD mice. Also, baicalein inhibited the expression of NLRP3 and activated caspase-1 in brain tissues. Correspondingly, baicalein prominently suppressed the inflammatory response in BV2 microglia induced by rotenone. Furthermore, in vitro data showed that baicalein suppressed the expression of NLRP3 and activated caspase-1 by abrogating the upregulation of ROS, as well as by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB signaling cascade. Overall, the results of the present study indicated that baicalein exerted anti-neuroinflammatory effects partly by inhibiting activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, and targeting NLRP3 inflammasome signaling offers a novel therapeutic strategy for PD treatment.
研究领域:
神经科学
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药理学
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炎症
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产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
危险品化学品经营许可证（带存储）