NLR Family CARD Domain Containing 4 Research Articles

NLRC5 promotes tumorigenesis by regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in cervical cancer

Cervical cancer (CC) is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide. NLR Family CARD Domain Containing 5 (NLRC5) plays an important role in tumorigenesis. However, its effect and mechanism in CC remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the function of NLRC5 in CC. NLRC5 was found to be down-regulated in CC tissues compared with normal cervical tissues. However, patients with higher NLRC5 expression had better prognosis, patients with higher age, HPV infection, lymph node metastasis, recurrence and histological grade had worse prognosis. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed NLRC5 to be a potential prognostic indicator for CC. Pearson correlation analysis showed that NLRC5 might exert its function in CC through autophagy related proteins, especially LC3. In vitro experiments demonstrated that NLRC5 inhibited LC3 levels and promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of CC cells by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Treatment with LY294002 reversed the above phenotype. Taken together, our finding suggested that NLRC5 would participate in cervical tumorigenesis and progression by regulating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In addition, NLRC5 and LC3 combined as possible predictors in CC.

Bavachinin, a main compound of Psoraleae Fructus, facilitates GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis and causes hepatotoxicity in mice

Psoraleae Fructus (PF, Psoralea corylifolia L.), a traditional medicine with a long history of application, is widely used clinically for the treatment of various diseases. However, the reports of PF-related adverse reactions, such as hepatotoxicity, phototoxic dermatitis, and allergy, are increasing year by year, with liver injury being the mostly common. Our previous studies have demonstrated that PF and its preparations can cause liver injury in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated susceptibility mouse model, but the mechanism of PF-related liver injury is unclear. In this study, we showed that PF and bavachinin, a major component of PF, can directly induce the expression of caspase-1 and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), indicating that PF and bavachinin can directly triggered the activation of inflammasome. Furthermore, pretreatment with NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3), NLR family CARD domain containing 4 (NLRC4) or absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) inflammasome inhibitors, containing MCC950, ODN TTAGGG (ODN) and carnosol, all significantly reversed bavachinin-induced inflammasome activation. Mechanistically, bavachinin dose-dependently promote Gasdermin D (GSDMD) post-shear activation and then induce mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) production and this effect is markedly inhibited by pretreatment with N-Acetylcysteine amide (NAC). In addition, combination treatment of LPS and bavachinin significantly induced liver injury in mice, but not LPS or bavachinin alone, and transcriptome analysis further validated these results. Thus, PF and bavachinin can induce the activation of inflammasome by promoting GSDMD cleavage and cause hepatotoxicity in mice. Therefore, PF, bavachinin, and PF-related preparations should be avoided in patients with inflammasome activation-associated diseases.

NLRC5 promotes endometrial carcinoma progression by regulating NF-κB pathway-mediated mismatch repair gene deficiency

The innate immune molecule NLR family CARD domain-containing 5 (NLRC5) plays a significant role in endometrial carcinoma (EC) immunosurveillance. However, NLRC5 also plays a protumor role in EC cells. Mismatch repair gene deficiency (dMMR) can enable tumors to grow faster and also can exhibit high sensitivity to immune checkpoint inhibitors. In this study, we attempted to determine whether NLRC5-mediated protumor role in EC is via the regulation of dMMR. Our findings revealed that NLRC5 promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of EC cells and induced the dMMR status of EC in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, the mechanism underlying NLRC5 regulated dMMR was also verified. We first found NLRC5 could suppress nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) pathway in EC cells. Then we validated that the positive effect of NLRC5 in dMMR was restricted when NF-κB was activated by lipopolysaccharides in NLRC5-overexpression EC cell lines. In conclusion, our present study confirmed the novel NLRC5/NF-κB/MMR regulatory mechanism of the protumor effect of NLRC5 on EC cells, thereby suggesting that the NLRC5-mediated protumor in EC was depend on the function of MMR.

The balance between nuclear import and export of NLRC5 regulates MHC class I transactivation

MHC (major histocompatibility complex) class I molecules play an essential role in regulating the adaptive immune system by presenting antigens to CD8 T cells. CITA (MHC class I transactivator), also known as NLRC5 (NLR family, CARD domain-containing 5), regulates the expression of MHC class I and essential components involved in the MHC class I antigen presentation pathway. While the critical role of the nuclear distribution of NLRC5 in its transactivation activity has been known, the regulatory mechanism to determine the nuclear localization of NLRC5 remains poorly understood. In this study, a comprehensive analysis of all domains in NLRC5 revealed that the regulatory mechanisms for nuclear import and export of NLRC5 coexist and counterbalance each other. Moreover, GCN5 (general control non-repressed 5 protein), a member of HATs (histone acetyltransferases), was found to be a key player to retain NLRC5 in the nucleus, thereby contributing to the expression of MHC class I. Therefore, the balance between import and export of NLRC5 has emerged as an additional regulatory mechanism for MHC class I transactivation, which would be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of cancer and virus-infected diseases.

NLRC4 methylation and its response to intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in Kawasaki disease: a case control study

BackgroundKawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis accompanied by many systemic physiological and biochemical changes. Elucidating its molecular mechanisms is crucial for diagnosing and developing effective treatments. NLR Family CARD Domain Containing 4 (NLRC4) encodes the key components of inflammasomes that function as pattern recognition receptors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of NLRC4 methylation as a biomarker for KD.MethodsIn this study, pyrosequencing was utilized to analyze NLRC4 promoter methylation in blood samples from 44 children with initial complete KD and 51 matched healthy controls. Methylation at five CpG sites within the NLRC4 promoter region was evaluated.ResultsCompared to controls, NLRC4 methylation significantly decreased in KD patients (CpG1: p = 2.93E-06; CpG2: p = 2.35E-05; CpG3: p = 6.46E-06; CpG4: p = 2.47E-06; CpG5: p = 1.26E-05; average methylation: p = 5.42E-06). These changes were significantly reversed after intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment. ROC curve analysis demonstrated remarkable diagnostic capability of mean NLRC4 gene methylation for KD (areas under ROC curve = 0.844, sensitivity = 0.75, p = 9.61E-06, 95% confidence intervals were 0.762–0.926 for mean NLRC4 methylation). In addition, NLRC4 promoter methylation was shown to be significantly negatively correlated with the levels of central granulocyte percentage, age, mean haemoglobin quantity and mean erythrocyte volume. Besides, NLRC4 promoter methylation was positively correlated with lymphocyte percentage, lymphocyte absolute value.ConclusionsOur work revealed the role of peripheral NLRC4 hypomethylation in KD pathogenesis and IVIG treatment response, could potentially serve as a treatment monitoring biomarker, although its precise functions remain to be elucidated.

USF1 transcriptionally activates USP14 to drive atherosclerosis by promoting EndMT through NLRC5/Smad2/3 axis

BackgroundEndothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transformation (EndMT) plays key roles in endothelial dysfunction during the pathological progression of atherosclerosis; however, its detailed mechanism remains unclear. Herein, we explored the biological function and mechanisms of upstream stimulating factor 1 (USF1) in EndMT during atherosclerosis.MethodsThe in vivo and in vitro atherosclerotic models were established in high fat diet-fed ApoE−/− mice and ox-LDL-exposed human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The plaque formation, collagen and lipid deposition, and morphological changes in the aortic tissues were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (HE), Masson, Oil red O and Verhoeff-Van Gieson (EVG) staining, respectively. EndMT was determined by expression levels of EndMT-related proteins. Target molecule expression was detected by RT-qPCR and Western blotting. The release of pro-inflammatory cytokines was measured by ELISA. Migration of HUVECs was detected by transwell and scratch assays. Molecular mechanism was investigated by dual-luciferase reporter assay, ChIP, and Co-IP assays.ResultsUSF1 was up-regulated in atherosclerosis patients. USF1 knockdown inhibited EndMT by up-regulating CD31 and VE-Cadherin, while down-regulating α-SMA and vimentin, thereby repressing inflammation, and migration in ox-LDL-exposed HUVECs. In addition, USF1 transcriptionally activated ubiquitin-specific protease 14 (USP14), which promoted de-ubiquitination and up-regulation of NLR Family CARD Domain Containing 5 (NLRC5) and subsequent Smad2/3 pathway activation. The inhibitory effect of sh-USF1 or sh-USP14 on EndMT was partly reversed by USP14 or NLRC5 overexpression. Finally, USF1 knockdown delayed atherosclerosis progression via inhibiting EndMT in mice.ConclusionOur findings indicate the contribution of the USF1/USP14/NLRC5 axis to atherosclerosis development via promoting EndMT, which provide effective therapeutic targets.

LNCGM1082 in Gut Epithelial Cells Promotes Expulsion of Infected Epithelial Cells and Release of IL-18.

Inflammasome NLRC4 (NLR family CARD domain containing 4) can protect mucosal barriers such as intestine from invading bacterial pathogens. However, it was incompletely clear how NLRC4 was activated in intestinal epithelial cells. In this study, we demonstrated that LNCGM1082 could mediate the activation of NLRC4 via binding NLRC4 with protein kinase C (PKC)δ. LNCGM1082 knockout (KO) mice had reduced resistance against Salmonella Typhimurium infection, as well as impaired expulsion of infected gut epithelial cells and release of IL-18 upon exposure to S. Typhimurium. Similar to NLRC4 KO and PKCδ knockdown gut organoids, there also was impaired expulsion of gut epithelial cells and release of IL-18 in LNCGM1082 KO gut organoids. Furthermore, there also was reduced activation of caspase-1 and caspase-8 in these LNCGM1082 KO, NLRC4 KO, and PKCδ knockdown gut organoids upon exposure to S. Typhimurium. Our results show that LNCGM1082 in the ICEs plays a critical role in mediating activation of NLRC4 through binding NLRC4 and PKCδ and promoting expulsion of infected epithelial cells and release of IL-18 upon exposure to bacteria such as S. Typhimurium.

Divergent functional outcomes of NLRP3 blockade downstream of multi-inflammasome activation: therapeutic implications for ALS.

NOD-Like Receptor Family Pyrin Domain Containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome modulation has emerged as a potential therapeutic approach targeting inflammation amplified by pyroptotic innate immune cell death. In diseases characterized by non-cell autonomous neurodegeneration including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the activation of several inflammasomes has been reported. Since functional redundancy can exist among inflammasome pathways, here we investigate the effects of NLRP3 inhibition on NLRP3, NLR family CARD Domain Containing 4 (NLRC4) and non-canonical pathways to understand whether NLRP3 blockade alone can mitigate pro-inflammatory cytokine release and pyroptotic cell death in contexts where single or multiple inflammasome pathways independent of NLRP3 are activated. In this study we do not limit our insights into inflammasome biology by solely relying on the THP-1 monocytic line under the LPS/nigericin-mediated NLRP3 pathway activation paradigm. We assess therapeutic potential and limitations of NLRP3 inhibition in multi-inflammasome activation contexts utilizing various human cellular systems including cell lines expressing gain of function (GoF) mutations for several inflammasomes, primary human monocytes, macrophages, healthy and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) patient induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)-derived microglia (iMGL) stimulated for canonical and non-canonical inflammasome pathways. We demonstrate that NLRP3 inhibition can modulate the NLRC4 and non-canonical inflammasome pathways; however, these effects differ between immortalized, human primary innate immune cells, and iMGL. We extend our investigation in more complex systems characterized by activation of multiple inflammasomes such as the SOD1G93A mouse model. Through deep immune phenotyping by single-cell mass cytometry we demonstrate that acute NLRP3 inhibition does not ameliorate spinal cord inflammation in this model. Taken together, our data suggests that NLRP3 inhibition alone may not be sufficient to address dynamic and complex neuroinflammatory pathobiological mechanisms including dysregulation of multiple inflammasome pathways in neurodegenerative disease such as ALS.

Maintenance of Hypoimmunogenic Features via Regulation of Endogenous Antigen Processing and Presentation Machinery.

Universally acceptable donor cells have been developed to address the unmet need for immunotypically matched materials for regenerative medicine. Since forced expression of hypoimmunogenic genes represses the immune response, we established universal pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) by replacing endogenous β2-microglobulin (β2m) with β2m directly conjugated to human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G, thereby simultaneously suppressing HLA-I expression and the natural killer (NK) cell-mediated immune response. These modified human PSCs retained their pluripotency and differentiation capacity; however, surface presentation of HLA-G was absent from subsequently differentiated cells, particularly cells of neural lineages, due to the downregulation of antigen processing and presentation machinery (APM) genes. Induction of APM genes by overexpression of NLR-family CARD domain-containing 5 (NLRC5) or activator subunit of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) heterodimer (RelA) recovered the surface expression of HLA-G and the hypoimmunogenicity of neural cells. Our findings enhance the utility of hypoimmunogenic cells as universal donors and will contribute to the development of off-the-shelf stem-cell therapeutics.

Identification of key genes related to immune cells in patients with gram-negative sepsis based on weighted gene co-expression network analysis.

BackgroundGram-negative sepsis is closely related to the immune response, involving collaborative efforts of different immune cells. However, the mechanisms underlying immune cell regulation in gram-negative sepsis remain unclear. Therefore, this study investigated the potential regulatory mechanisms and identified the key genes related to immune cells in gram-negative sepsis.MethodsThe RNA-sequencing data for gram-negative sepsis samples and normal samples were collected from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset GSE9960. CIBERSORT was performed to analyze the proportion of 22 types of immune cells in gram-negative sepsis and normal samples. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to determine the networks that are associated with the differentially distributed immune cells in the two groups. Differentially expressed genes were identified using the limma package. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and support vector machine-recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) algorithms were applied to ascertain hub gene signatures. The gene interaction network of hub gene signatures was determined by ingenuity pathway analysis. Furthermore, the expression levels of the key genes were verified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).ResultsCIBERSORT analysis showed that the proportions of plasma cells, resting CD4+ memory T cells, M1 macrophages, and eosinophils were significantly different between gram-negative sepsis and normal samples. WGCNA identified 1,100 genes in the most relevant modules associated with these immune cells. In addition, 87 differentially expressed genes were identified. By overlapping the genes found in the WGCNA and the differentially expressed genes, a total of 46 genes related to immune cells were identified. Integrative analysis of LASSO and SVM-RFE identified NLR family CARD domain-containing 4 (NLRC4) and ral guanine nucleotide dissociation stimulator like 4 (RGL4) as key gene signatures related to immune cells in gram-negative sepsis. The qRT-PCR results demonstrated that both NLRC4 and RGL4 were upregulated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with sepsis.ConclusionsThis investigation provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of immune cells involved in the pathogenesis of gram-negative sepsis. NLRC4 and RGL4 were identified as key gene signatures related to immune cells and may act as potential diagnostic biomarkers for gram-negative sepsis.

Lactobacillus pentosus Alleviates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Neuronal Pyroptosis via Promoting BIRC3-Mediated Inactivation of NLRC4.

Objective Neurodegenerative disease is a common neurodegenerative disorder. Lactobacillus pentosus (L. pentosus) plays a neuron-protective role. This study aimed to investigate the effects of L. pentosus on neurodegenerative diseases. Methods Cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to establish neurodegenerative diseases model in vivo and with L. pentosus strain S-PT84. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was applied to determine mRNA levels. Western blot was performed to detect protein expression. Cellular behaviors were detected using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), flow cytometry, and TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. The interaction between baculoviral IAP repeat containing 3 (BIRC3) and NLR family CARD domain containing 4 (NLRC4) was predicted by STING and verified by western blot. Result L. pentosus suppressed LPS-induced pyroptosis and promoted the cell viability of neurons. Additionally, L. pentosus suppressed the release of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and IL-18) and the protein expression of pyroptosis biomarkers (cleaved caspase1 (CL-CASP1) and N-terminal fragment gasdermin D (GSDMD-N)). Moreover, L. pentosus upregulated BIRC3, which induced the inactivation of NLRC4. However, BIRC3 knockdown alleviated the effects of L. pentosus and induced neuronal degeneration. Conclusion L. pentosus may play a neuron-protective role via regulating BIRC3/NLRC4 signaling pathways. Therefore, L. pentosus may be a promising strategy for neurodegenerative diseases.

NLR family CARD domain containing 5 promotes hypoxia-induced cancer progress and carboplatin resistance by activating PI3K/AKT via carcinoembryonic antigen related cell adhesion molecule 1 in non-small cell lung cancer

ABSTRACT It is well known that non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a malignant tumor with high incidence in the world. We aimed to clarify a possible target and identify its precise molecular biological mechanism in NSCLC. NLR family CARD domain containing 5 (NLRC5) is widely expressed in tissues and exerts a vital role in anti-tumor immunity. We determined NLRC5 expression by RT-qPCR and western blot assay. The role of NLRC5 in the development of NSCLC was assessed by a loss-of-function assay. CCK-8, Annexin-V-FITC/PI Apoptosis Detection Kit, Transwell, and wound healing assays were used to determine the cell functions. Drug resistance-related proteins were analyzed by western blot assay. Furthermore, the modulation of NLRC5 on carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) expression and subsequent PI3K/AKT signaling was assessed. In this study, a hyper-expression of NLRC5 was found in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of NLRC5 suppressed cell viability, invasion, and migration, and furthermore promoted cell apoptosis in NSCLC cells. Moreover, under normoxia or hypoxia treatment, the upregulation of NLRC5 was related to carboplatin resistance. NLRC5 silencing increased carboplatin-resistant cell chemosensitivity, as evidenced by the increase in the cell inhibition rate and decrease in drug resistance-related protein expression. Mechanistically, NLRC5 knockdown inhibited the expression of CEACAM1 and subsequently blocked the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In conclusion, NLRC5 promotes the malignant biological behaviors of NSCLC cells by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway via the regulation of CEACAM1 expression under normoxia and hypoxia.

Parthenolide ameliorates neurological deficits and neuroinflammation in mice with traumatic brain injury by suppressing STAT3/NF-κB and inflammasome activation

BackgroundTraumatic brain injury (TBI) triggers a set of complex inflammation that results in secondary injury. Parthenolide (PTN) is a sesquiterpene lactone extracted from the herb Tanacetum parthenium (Feverfew) and has potent anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptosis and anti-oxidative stress effects in the central nervous system (CNS)-related diseases. This study focuses on investigating the potential neuroprotective effect of PTN on TBI and the related mechanism. MethodsBv2 microglia, primary microglia were stimulated by LPS, and HT22 neuron cells were stimulated by OGD/R, and they were treated with different doses of PTN. The expression profiles of pro-inflammatory cytokines, proteins, oxidative stress mediators, STAT3/NF-κB pathway, inflammasomes were detected. Forty male/female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the sham, PTN, TBI, and TBI + PTN groups (10 mice per group). A mouse TBI model was set up with a controlled cortical impact (CCI) device. The modified nerve severity score (mNSS) was implemented to check short-term neurological impairment in mice, and the mice's memory and learning were assessed by the Morris water maze test. The water content in the mice’s brains was measured by the dry-wet method. Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining, Nissl staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay were applied for neuronal apoptosis. ResultsPTN dramatically alleviated LPS-induced inflammation in microglia, and OGD-mediated neuronal apoptosis and oxidative stress. In addition, PTN repressed LPS- or OGD-modulated STAT3/NF-κB and NLR family pyrin domain containing 1 (NLRP1), NLRP3, NLR family CARD domain containing 4 (NLRC4) inflammasomes activation. Administering the STAT3 inhibitor Stattic or NF-κB inhibitor Bay 11-7082 attenuated PTN-mediated effects. In vivo, PTN treatment relieved neural function deficits, brain edema and neuron apoptosis and improved the memory and learning function of TBI mice. Additionally, PTN impeded microglial activation and reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in brain lesions of TBI mice. Furthermore, PTN hindered STAT3/NF-κB and inflammasome activation. ConclusionPTN can curb microglial activation and neuron apoptosis by dampening the STAT3/NF-κB pathway, thus exerting neuroprotective effects in TBI mice.

Role of inflammasomes in HIV-1 infection and treatment.

Although combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) is effective in inhibiting human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication, it does not eradicate the virus because small amounts of latent HIV-1 provirus persist in quiescent memory CD4+ T cells. Therefore, strategies for eradicating latent HIV-1 are urgently needed. Recently, several studies have reported that the inflammatory response and lymphocyte death induced by HIV-1 depend on inflammasomes and pyroptosis, suggesting that inflammasomes and pyroptosis have a vital role in HIV-1 infection and contribute to the eradication of latent HIV-1. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of the role of inflammasomes, including NLR family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3), caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 8 (CARD8), interferon-inducible protein 16 (IFI16), NLRP1, NLR family CARD domain-containing 4 (NLRC4), and absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2), in HIV-1 infection and discuss promising therapeutic strategies for HIV-1-associated diseases by targeting inflammasomes.

Cholesterol crystals activate NLRP3 inflammasomes and promote gallstone formation by increasing mucin secretion

ABSTRACT Cholesterol crystals participate in cholesterol nucleation; however, the role of cholesterol crystals in gallstone development is unknown. Mucin secretion contributes to increased size of gallstones. Cholesterol crystals activate inflammasomes and participate in many sterile inflammation related human diseases. We investigated the role of cholesterol crystals and mucins in sterile inflammation and gallstone enlargement. We found that expression of mucin 5AC (MUC5AC), NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) and interleukin-1b (IL-1b) was increased significantly in tissues adjacent to gallstones. Experiments in vitro showed that cholesterol crystals promote MUC5AC secretion; they also increase expression of NLRP3, NLR family CARD domain-containing 4 (NLRC4), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing caspase recruitment domain (ASC), and cleaved caspase-1 in biliary epithelial cells. Inhibition of Inflammasomes by NLRP3, ASC or caspase-1 small interfering RNAs reduced MUC5AC secretion. Also, the IL-1 receptor antagonist, IL1RA, and caspase-1 inhibitor, Ac-YVAD, both inhibited MUC5AC secretion induced by cholesterol crystals. We found that inflammasome activation participates in cholesterol crystal induced mucin secretion and gallstone development.

NLRC4 Gene Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Are Associated with the Prognosis of Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis.

Objective To analyze and study the correlation between NLR family CARD domain-containing 4 (NLRC4) gene single nucleotide polymorphisms and the prognosis of patients with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Methods In this study, we retrospectively studied the clinical data of 62 HLH patients, including 40 males and 22 females. The genomic DNA was extracted, and the genotypes at rs385076 locus and rs479333 locus of the NLRC4 gene were analyzed. The level of blood interleukin-18 (IL-18) was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Compared with the TT genotype at the NLRC4 gene rs385076 locus, the mortality of HLH patients with TC genotype and CC genotype was higher (RR = 3.205, 95% CI: 1.277-4.788, p = 0.012; RR = 3.052, 95% CI: 1.098-4.753, p = 0.031). Taking the CC genotype at rs479333 of the NLRC4 gene as a reference, HLH patients with CG genotype and GG genotype had a higher risk of death (RR = 3.475, 95% CI: 1.488-5.775, p = 0.003; RR = 2.986, 95% CI: 1.014-5.570, p = 0.047). NLRC4 gene rs385076 T>C and rs479333 C>G were significantly related to the poor prognosis of HLH patients. The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating curve (ROC) for the prognostic outcome of HLH with serum IL-18 level was 0.6813 (95% CI: 0.5365-0.8260, p = 0.0189). NLRC4 gene rs385076 T>C and rs479333 C>G were related to higher serum IL-18 levels. Conclusion NLRC4 gene rs385076 T>C and rs479333 C>G are related to the poor prognosis of HLH patients.

LncRNA MEG3 reverses CCl4-induced liver fibrosis by targeting NLRC5

Liver fibrosis is a persistent pathological repair of chronic liver injury, which is characterized by excessive deposition of collagen-dominated extracellular matrix (ECM). It is well known that hepatic fibrosis can be reversed in the absence of etiology. Studies have shown that long non-coding RNA (Lnc RNA) maternally expressed gene3 (MEG3) has strong effects on the activation of hepatic stellata cells (HSCs). However, the function of MEG3 in the reversal of liver fibrosis has not been studied. In this experiment, we studied the content expression, function, and part of the potential mechanism of MEG3 in reversing liver fibrosis. In in vivo and in vitro models, we found that MEG3 was down-regulated during the formation of liver fibrosis, while it was up-regulated during the reversal of liver fibrosis. Then, it was found that the silencing of MEG3 could gradually restore the activity of the inactivated LX-2 cells, Overexpression of MEG3 can inhibit the activation of LX-2 cells, accelerate the reversal of liver fibrosis. Through catRAPID analysis, it was found that NLR family CARD domain containing 5 (NLRC5) may be a target of MEG3. We found that, after MEG3 silencing, NLRC5 expression was upregulated in LX-2 cells in the reverse phase, while, after MEG3 overexpression, NLRC5 expression was decreased. Further, we verified that MEG3 can target NLRC5 through RNA pull down experiment. Therefore, MEG3 may inhibit the activation of hepatic stellate cells by targeting NLRC5, thus accelerating the reversal of hepatic fibrosis.

Resolvin D2 suppresses NLRP3 inflammasome by promoting autophagy in macrophages.

Inflammasome, a multiprotein complex that regulates interleukin (IL)-1β secretion and pyroptosis, participates in numerous inflammatory diseases, including sepsis, atherosclerosis and type-2 diabetes. Investigating the inflammasome regulation is therefore crucial to understand the inflammasome activation and develop treatment for the related diseases. In addition, it remains unknown how the inflammasome is naturally suppressed during the inflammatory process. The present study aimed to investigate the role of resolvin D2 (RvD2), an innate suppressor of inflammation produced from essential ω3-polyunsaturated fatty acids, in the activation of the inflammasome via in vitro and in vivo experiments. The effects of RvD2 on the cytokine production of inflammasome-related peritonitis were determined, and the NLRP3 inflammasome activation was investigated in the presence of RvD2. Moreover, the potential mechanisms underlying RvD2 in NLRP3 inflammasome regulation through autophagy and proteasome were investigated. The results of the present study demonstrated that RvD2 suppressed inflammasome-mediated peritonitis in vivo and regulated the NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, but not in absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2), NLR family CARD domain containing 4 (NLRC4) inflammasomes. Mechanistically, RvD2 was found to promote the degradation of NLRP3 through autophagy, and the inhibition of autophagy could reverse the RvD2-mediated suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome in vitro and partially reverse the inflammasome-mediated peritonitis in vivo. In summary, the present study reported the negative regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome activation by RvD2. The findings from this study may extend the knowledge of the innate regulation of inflammasome and highlight a possible target for inflammasome-related diseases.

Activation of the NLRC4 inflammasome in renal tubular epithelial cell injury in diabetic nephropathy.

Renal tubular interstitial injury plays a key role in the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and, thus, the study of renal tubular injury in DN is important. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the role of the NLR family CARD domain containing 4 (NLRC4) inflammasome in renal tubular epithelial cell (RTEC) injury in DN. Human kidney biopsy tissues were obtained from patients with DN, and normal kidney tissues were obtained from nephrectomies performed for renal hamartoma. Human RTECs (HK2 cells) were divided into normal glucose (D-glucose 5.6 mmol/l), high glucose (HG; 30 mmol/l), high osmotic (D-glucose 5.6 mmol/l + D-mannitol 24.4 mmol/l), HG + NLRC4 small interfering (si)RNA or HG + siRNA control groups. Then, the expression levels of NLRC4, PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1) and parkin, as well as the levels of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, which are associated with mitophagy, were observed. The expression levels of NLRC4, PINK1, parkin and phosphorylated parkin in the RTECs of patients with DN were higher compared with those in normal controls. In HK2 cells, HG stimulated the expression of NLRC4, the secretion of IL-1β and IL-18 and cell death. Moreover, knockdown of NLRC4 expression in HK2 cells treated with HG reduced the secretion of the inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β and IL-18. The findings of the present study may provide a rationale for the development of treatments for patients with DN by preventing inflammasome activation.

MiR-125b-5p enclosed in hypoxic HK2 cell-derived extracellular vesicles alleviates renal ischemia-reperfusion injury by regulating NLRC5

IntroductionIn this study, we validated the changes in microRNA (miRNA) expression in hypoxic human kidney 2 (HK2) cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs). Additionally, we investigated the mechanism by which miRNA that are derived from EVs alleviated renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury.Material and methodsHK2 cells were treated in a hypoxic chamber (1% O2) for 12 h.EVs were obtained as supernatant from ultracentrifugation and characterized. After examining 16 differentially expressed EV-miRNAs between normoxic and hypoxic conditions by RT-PCR and bioinformatics analysis, miR-125b-5p was selected for further analysis. Normoxic and hypoxic HK2 cells-derived EVs as well as EVs that were isolated from miR-125b-5p negative control (miR-NC)-transfected or miR-125b-5p mimic (miR-MI)-transfected HK2 cells were injected in mice with renal I/R injury. The degree of renal injury was assessed by periodic acid-Schiff staining, renal tubule injury score, and plasma creatinine levels. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to determine the potential target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs. RT-PCR,western blotting, luciferase reporter assay, and immunohistochemistry were performed to investigate the relationship between miR-125b-5p and the NLR family CARD domain containing 5 (NLRC5).ResultsRT-PCR revealed that from 16 differentially expressed miRNAs, four EV-miRNAs were upregulated. Animal study showed that miR-125b-5p overexpression in EVs alleviated renal I/R injury. Bioinformatics analysis predicted that NLRC5 was targeted by miR-125b-5p. Moreover, the relationship between miR-125b-5p and NLRC5 was also validated.ConclusionsThere were several miRNAs that were upregulated (including miR-125b-5p) in hypoxic HK2 cells. Hypoxia induced EVs that alleviate renal IRI, can be attributed to miR-125b-5p for targeting NLRC5.