Project description:Canonical inflammasomes are innate immune protein scaffolds that enable the activation of inflammatory caspase-1, and subsequently the processing and release of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, and danger signals, as well as the induction of pyroptotic cell death. Inflammasome assembly and activation occurs in response to sensing of infectious, sterile and self-derived molecular patterns by cytosolic pattern recognition receptors, including the Nod-like receptor NLRP3. While these responses are essential for host defense, excessive and uncontrolled NLRP3 inflammasome responses cause and contribute to a wide spectrum of inflammatory diseases, including gout. A key step in NLRP3 inflammasome assembly is the sequentially nucleated polymerization of Pyrin domain (PYD)- and caspase recruitment domain (CARD)-containing inflammasome components. NLRP3 triggers polymerization of the adaptor protein ASC through PYD-PYD interactions, but ASC polymerization then proceeds in a self-perpetuating manner and represents a point of no return, which culminates in the activation of caspase-1 by induced proximity. In humans, small PYD-only proteins (POPs) lacking an effector domain regulate this key process through competitive binding, but limited information exists on their physiological role during health and disease. Here we demonstrate that POP1 expression in macrophages is sufficient to dampen MSU crystal-mediated inflammatory responses in animal models of gout. Whether MSU crystals are administered into a subcutaneous airpouch or into the ankle joint, the presence of POP1 significantly reduces neutrophil infiltration. Also, airpouch exudates have much reduced IL-1β and ASC, which are typical pro-inflammatory indicators that can also be detected in synovial fluids of gout patients. Exogenous expression of POP1 in mouse and human macrophages also blocks MSU crystal-induced NLRP3 inflammasome assembly, resulting in reduced IL-1β and IL-18 secretion. Conversely, reduced POP1 expression in human macrophages enhances IL-1β secretion. We further determined that the mechanism for the POP1-mediated inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation is through its interference with the crucial NLRP3 and ASC interaction within the inflammasome complex. Strikingly, administration of an engineered cell permeable version of POP1 was able to ameliorate MSU crystal-mediated inflammation in vivo, as measured by neutrophil infiltration. Overall, we demonstrate that POP1 may play a crucial role in regulating inflammatory responses in gout.
| S-EPMC9550078 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Alternative diets affect the monarch butterfly microbiome in early development
Project description:The RNA-binding protein tristetraprolin (TTP) is an anti-inflammatory factor that prompts the mRNA decay of target mRNAs and is involved in inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). TTP is regulated by phosphorylation, and protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) can dephosphorylate TTP to activate its mRNA-degrading function. Some small molecules can enhance PP2A activation. Short interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting TTP expression or PP2A agonist (Arctigenin) was administered to monosodium urate (MSU) crystal-induced J774A.1 cells, and the expression of inflammatory related genes was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot assays. The effects of Arctigenin in mouse models of acute inflammation induced by MSU crystals, including peritonitis and arthritis, were evaluated. The data indicated that TTP expression levels and endogenous PP2A activity were increased in MSU-crystal treated J774A.1 cells. TTP knockdown exacerbated inflammation-related genes expression and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. However, PP2A agonist treatment (Arctigenin) suppressed MSU crystal-induced inflammation in J774A.1 cells. Arctigenin also relieved mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) production and improved lysosomal membrane permeability in MSU crystal-treated J774A.1 cells. Moreover, TTP knockdown reversed the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Arctigenin. Oral administration of Arctigenin significantly alleviated foot pad swelling, the number of inflammatory cells in peritoneal lavage fluids and the production of IL-1β in the mouse model of inflammation induced by MSU crystals. Collectively, these data imply that targeting TTP expression or functional activity may provide a potential therapeutic strategy for inflammation caused by MSU crystals.
Project description:BackgroundGout is initiated by the precipitation of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals within the joints and soft tissues, and it can eventually cause acute or chronic arthritis. MSU crystals trigger, amplify, and maintain a strong inflammatory response through promoting proinflammatory activity. In this study, the therapeutic effects of Stephania hainanensis (S. hainanensis) total alkaloid (SHA) were tested and evaluated on MSU-induced acute gouty arthritis in a mouse model.MethodsAfter oral administration of SHA (10 or 20 mg/kg) or the antigout medicine colchicine (0.5 mg/kg) once daily for 3 consecutive days, MSU crystals suspended in saline (2.5 mg/50 μl) were intradermally injected into the right paw of the mice. Then, SHA and colchicine were administered for another 2 days. During this period, swelling of the ankle and clinical scores were measured at 12, 24, and 48 h postinjection. After the mice were euthanized, inflammatory cytokine expression and paw tissue inflammation-related gene and protein expression, and a histopathological analysis was performed.ResultsSHA had obvious therapeutic effects on MSU-induced acute gouty arthritis in mice. SHA alleviated ankle swelling and inhibited the production of cytokines, such as IL-1β and TNF-α. In addition, NLRP3, Caspase-1 and IL-1β, which are activated by MSU were also suppressed by SHA. The histological evaluation showed that SHA relieved the infiltration of inflammation around the ankle.ConclusionsThese results suggest that SHA is capable of anti-inflammatory activities and may be useful for treating gouty arthritis.
Project description:This study was designed to address key questions concerning the use of alternative protein sources for animal feeds and addresses aspects such as their nutrient composition and impact on gut function, the immune system and systemic physiology. We used casein (CAS), partially delactosed whey powder (DWP), spray dried porcine plasma (SDPP), soybean meal (SBM), wheat gluten meal (WGM) and yellow meal worm (YMW) as protein sources. We investigated the effects of feeding mice during a period of four weeks on semi-synthetic diets containing 30% of six different protein sources. Microarrays were used to detail the global gene expression in the ileal mucosae of mice. Male C57BL/6J mice were stratified according to bodyweight and litter of origin into six dietary treatment groups. These mice were fed for four weeks with semi-synthetic diets containing one of the following protein sources. At the end of four weeks, mice were sacrificed by euthenesia and ileal tissue samples (scrapings) were collected for RNA extraction and hybridization on Affymetrix microarrays. Soybean meal (SBM) diet group served as reference to make comparisons with other experimental diets.