Abstract
Acute gout is an inflammatory response induced by monosodium urate (MSU) crystals. HSP60 is a highly conserved stress protein that acts as a cellular “danger” signal for immune reactions. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role and molecular mechanism of HSP60 in gout. HSP60 expression was detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and plasma of gout patients. The effect and molecular mechanism of HSP60 in gout were studied in MSU crystals treatment macrophages and C57BL/6 mice. JC-1 probe and MitoSOX Red were used to measure the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS). HSP60 expression was significantly upregulated in the PBMCs and sera of patients with acute gout (AG) compared to those with intercritical gout (IG) or healthy controls (HCs). MSU crystals induced the expression and secretion of HSP60 in the macrophages. HSP60 knockdown or overexpression affects TLR4 and MyD88 expression, IκBα degradation, and the nuclear localization of NF-κB in MSU crystal-stimulated inflammation. Further, HSP60 facilitates MMP collapse and mtROS production and activates the NLRP3 inflammasome in MSU crystal-stimulated macrophages. In MSU crystal-induced arthritis mouse models pretreated with HSP60 vivo-morpholino, paw swelling, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and inflammatory cell infiltration significantly decreased. Our study reveals that MSU crystal stimulates the expression of HSP60, which accelerates the TLR4-MyD88-NF-κB signaling pathway and exacerbates mitochondrial dysfunction.
Highlights
Gout is one of the most common forms of inflammatory arthritis in adults and is induced by monosodium urate (MSU) crystals deposited within the joints [1]
Serum HSP60 levels were significantly higher in patients with acute gout (AG) than that in intercritical gout (IG) or healthy controls (HCs) (Figure 1(a))
In peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), HSP60 protein levels in gout patients were higher compared to HCs (Figures 1(b) and 1(c))
Summary
Gout is one of the most common forms of inflammatory arthritis in adults and is induced by MSU crystals deposited within the joints [1]. In the long-term hyperuricemia, MSU crystals deposit, usually with tophi, further trigger a chronic inflammatory response that may result in structural damage of the joint, often referred to as gout arthritis (GA) or chronic gout [2]. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, colchicine, and glucocorticoids are commonly used to relieve acute pain and inflammation. The long-term use of these drugs is limited by the inevitable side effects of gastrointestinal toxicity and nephrotoxicity, as well as therapeutic gaps [3, 4]. The inflammatory response to gout involves cell-surface receptor-mediated signaling pathways that coordinate the innate immune response.
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