Cited by 109Inflammasome and immune disordersNitric Oxide and Endothelin EffectsAdvanced Glycation End Products research

Contribution of redox-dependent activation of endothelial Nlrp3 inflammasomes to hyperglycemia-induced endothelial dysfunction

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Chen, Yang, Wang, Lei, Pitzer, Ashley L., Li, Xiang, Li, Pin-Lan, Zhang, Yang·2016·Journal of Molecular Medicine

Abstract

Recent studies indicate that inflammasomes serve as intracellular machinery to initiate classical cytokine-mediated inflammatory responses and play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. However, whether or not the activation of endothelial inflammasomes directly causes cell dysfunction or tissue injury without recruitment of inflammatory cells is unknown. We explored the role of endothelial cell inflammasome activation in mediating tight junction disruption, a hallmark event of endothelial barrier dysfunction leading to endothelial hyperpermeability in diabetes. We used confocal microscopy to study the formation and activation of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing-3 (Nlrp3) inflammasomes and expression of tight junction proteins in coronary arteries of streptozotocin-treated diabetic wild type and Nlrp3 gene-deleted mice. We found that Nlrp3 ablation prevented inflammasome activation and tight junction disassembly in the coronary arterial endothelium of diabetic mice. Similarly, Nlrp3 gene silencing prevented high glucose-induced down-regulation of tight junction proteins in cultured mouse vascular endothelial cells (MVECs). The high glucose-induced tight junction disruption and consequent endothelial permeability were attributed to increased release of the high mobility group box protein-1 (HMGB1), which is dependent on enhanced Nlrp3 inflammasome activity. Mechanistically, reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production abolished high glucose-induced inflammasome activation, tight junction disruption, and endothelial hyperpermeability in MVECs. Collectively, the ROS-dependent activation of endothelial Nlrp3 inflammasomes by hyperglycemia may be an important initiating mechanism to cause endothelial dysfunction. These effects could contribute to the early onset of endothelial injury in diabetes.Key message Endothelial tight junction disruption in diabetes requires Nlrp3 inflammasomes. High glucose activates Nlrp3 inflammasome in endothelial cells via ROS production. Activation of endothelial inflammasome by high glucose triggers release of HMGB1. Blockade of Nlrp3/HMGB1 axis inhibits high glucose-induced endothelial permeability.

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  1. [30]Yuan SY Rigor RR 2010 Regulation of Endothelial Barrier Function Morgan & Claypool Life Sciences San Rafael (CA) 21634066

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Authors
Chen, Y., Wang, L., Pitzer, A. L., Li, X., Li, P.-L., & Zhang, Y.
Affiliations
  • Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (CN)
  • Virginia Commonwealth University (US)
  • University of Houston (US)
Corresponding author
Zhang, Yang
Venue
Journal of Molecular Medicine
Published
2016-10-25
Volume
94
Issue
12
Pages
1335-1347
ISSN
  • 0946-2716 (ISSN-L)
  • 1432-1440
OpenAlex
W2535421876
Cited by
108
References
59
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 1
FWCI
6.24
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Molecular Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (HL122937, HL122769, HL057244)
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (81603587)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Inflammasome and immune disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Nitric Oxide and Endothelin Effects
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Clinical Biochemistry › Advanced Glycation End Products research
Keywords
NLRP3 inflammasome, endothelial dysfunction, hyperglycemia, diabetes mellitus, tight junction disruption, endothelial hyperpermeability, reactive oxygen species, HMGB1, coronary endothelium, streptozotocin-induced diabetes, vascular endothelial cells, inflammasome activation
MeSH terms
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein, Animals, Cell Line, Coronary Vessels, Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental, Endothelium, Vascular, Gene Expression Regulation, Humans, Hyperglycemia, Male, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Oxidation-Reduction, Permeability, Streptozocin, Reactive Oxygen Species, Mice, Knockout, Tight Junctions, HMGB1 Protein, RNA, Small Interfering, Endothelial Cells, Mice, Inflammasomes

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