Cited by 319Wound Healing and TreatmentsInflammasome and immune disordersDiabetic Foot Ulcer Assessment and Management

Sustained Inflammasome Activity in Macrophages Impairs Wound Healing in Type 2 Diabetic Humans and Mice

Open access
Mirza, Rita E., Fang, Milie M., Weinheimer-Haus, Eileen M., Ennis, William J., Koh, Timothy J.·2014·Diabetes

Abstract

The hypothesis of this study was that sustained activity of the Nod-like receptor protein (NLRP)-3 inflammasome in wounds of diabetic humans and mice contributes to the persistent inflammatory response and impaired healing characteristic of these wounds. Macrophages (Mp) isolated from wounds on diabetic humans and db/db mice exhibited sustained inflammasome activity associated with low level of expression of endogenous inflammasome inhibitors. Soluble factors in the biochemical milieu of these wounds are sufficient to activate the inflammasome, as wound-conditioned medium activates caspase-1 and induces release of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 in cultured Mp via a reactive oxygen species–mediated pathway. Importantly, inhibiting inflammasome activity in wounds of db/db mice using topical application of pharmacological inhibitors improved healing of these wounds, induced a switch from proinflammatory to healing-associated Mp phenotypes, and increased levels of prohealing growth factors. Furthermore, data generated from bone marrow–transfer experiments from NLRP-3 or caspase-1 knockout to db/db mice indicated that blocking inflammasome activity in bone marrow cells is sufficient to improve healing. Our findings indicate that sustained inflammasome activity in wound Mp contributes to impaired early healing responses of diabetic wounds and that the inflammasome may represent a new therapeutic target for improving healing in diabetic individuals.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

Sustained NLRP-3 inflammasome activity in wound macrophages from type 2 diabetic humans and db/db mice contributes to persistent inflammation and impaired healing. Blocking inflammasome activity pharmacologically or via NLRP-3/caspase-1–null bone marrow transfer improved early wound healing and shifted macrophages toward a prohealing phenotype.

Key findings

  • Macrophages from chronic wounds of diabetic humans and db/db mice showed sustained inflammasome activity, with high NLRP-3, caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18, but low expression of endogenous inhibitors PI-9 and caspase-12. Active caspase-1 was detected in 9.9 ± 1.4% of db/db wound macrophages versus 4.8 ± 1.1% of db/+ wound macrophages.
  • Wound-conditioned medium activated caspase-1 and induced IL-1β/IL-18 release in cultured human and mouse macrophages via an ROS-mediated pathway; active caspase-1 was detected in 10.5 ± 1.3% of conditioned-medium–stimulated cells versus 2.9 ± 0.7% of nonstimulated controls.
  • Topical glyburide (200 μmol/L) or YVAD (20 μmol/L) in db/db wounds accelerated re-epithelialization, increased granulation tissue, reduced wound IL-1β/IL-18, increased IGF-1 and TGF-β, and shifted wound macrophage expression away from proinflammatory cytokines toward IGF-1, TGF-β, IL-10, and CD206.
  • Bone marrow transfer from NLRP-3– or caspase-1–null mice to db/db mice improved re-epithelialization and granulation tissue formation and reduced wound IL-1β and IL-18, indicating bone marrow–derived inflammasome activity is sufficient to impair healing.

Methods

  • Human chronic wound biopsies were collected from five type 2 diabetic patients (2 male, 3 female) with nonhealing sacral or lower-limb wounds lasting at least 3 months; mouse experiments used db/db, db/+, C57Bl/6 wild-type, NLRP-3 knockout, caspase-1 knockout, and IL-1R1 knockout mice.
  • Excisional wounds were made with an 8-mm biopsy punch; treatments were applied topically every other day starting 3 days postinjury in F-127 pluronic gel, and healing was assessed on day 10 by re-epithelialization, granulation tissue, collagen, CD31, and α-smooth-muscle actin staining.
  • Macrophages were isolated by magnetic depletion and CD11b selection; inflammasome activity was assessed by real-time PCR, ELISA, flow cytometry for active caspase-1, immunofluorescence, and in vitro stimulation with wound-conditioned medium plus inhibitors; data were analyzed by ANOVA or ANOVA on ranks with Student-Newman-Keuls post hoc tests, P ≤ 0.05.

Limitations

  • Stated: caspase-1–null mice were also deficient in caspase-11, so bone marrow–transfer experiments could not distinguish the roles of these caspases in impaired healing.
  • Stated: topical glyburide and YVAD could block inflammasome activity in keratinocytes as well as macrophages, although the authors note macrophages were the dominant IL-1β producers and bone marrow transfer was sufficient to reduce wound IL-1β/IL-18.
  • Evident: the human component is limited to five wound biopsies with no human therapeutic intervention, and macrophage phenotype changes after YVAD treatment were not measured.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.2337/db13-0927

Cites

50 of 50 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 62 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    Wound-conditioned medium from chronic wounds of diabetic humans increases release of IL-1β and IL-18 from cultured human blood-derived Mp.

    “Wound-conditioned medium increased release of IL-1β and IL-18 into the medium surrounding cultured Mp (Fig. 3A and B).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Active caspase-1 is detected in 10.5 ± 1.3% of conditioned medium-stimulated human Mp versus 2.9 ± 0.7% of nonstimulated control cells.

    “active caspase-1 was detected in 2.9 ± 0.7% of nonstimulated control cells and in 10.5 ± 1.3% of conditioned medium–stimulated cells.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Mp are the dominant producers of IL-1β and IL-18 after wounding in both db/+ and db/db mice.

    “When different wound cell populations were compared, Mp were the dominant producers of IL-1β and IL-18 after wounding in both db/+ and db/db mice (Fig. 2C and D).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    No difference was observed in Mp expression of NLRP-3 or caspase-1 on days 5 and 10 postinjury in either db/+ or db/db mice.

    “although no difference was observed in Mp expression of NLRP-3 or caspase-1 on days 5 and 10 postinjury in either db/+ or db/db mice (Fig. 2I and J)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Mp isolated from chronic wounds of diabetic humans express low levels of PI-9 and caspase-12.

    “Mp isolated from chronic wounds expressed high levels of inflammasome components NLRP-3 and caspase-1, and inflammasome targets IL-1β and IL-18, but only low levels of proteinase inhibitor-9 (PI-9) and caspase-12, which are negative regulators of inflammasome activity (Fig. 1A–F).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 17
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 17
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Expression of PI-9 and caspase-12 is upregulated from day 5 to day 10 postinjury in db/+ mice, associated with downregulation of inflammasome activity.

    “expression of the inflammasome inhibitors PI-9 and caspase-12 was upregulated from day 5 to day 10 postinjury in db/+ mice (Fig. 2K and L), associated with the downregulation of inflammasome activity.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Mp from wounds of db/db mice exhibit sustained high expression and release of IL-1β and IL-18 on day 10 postinjury, whereas db/+ mice downregulate them by day 10.

    “Mp expression and release of IL-1β and IL-18 was high on day 5 postinjury and then downregulated on day 10 postinjury in db/+ mice. In contrast, expression and release of these inflammasome targets were maintained at high levels on day 10 in db/db mice (Fig. 2A, B, E, and F).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Expression of PI-9 and caspase-12 is maintained at low levels in db/db mice, associated with sustained high levels of inflammasome activity.

    “In contrast, expression of these inflammasome inhibitors was maintained at low levels in db/db mice, associated with sustained high levels of inflammasome activity.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Glyburide but not YVAD treatment increases collagen deposition on day 10 postinjury in db/db mice.

    “glyburide but not YVAD treatment increased collagen deposition on day 10 postinjury (Fig. 6E).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    There was a nonsignificant trend of decreased TNF-α in glyburide- and YVAD-treated wounds.

    “there were nonsignificant trends of decreased TNF-α and IL-6 in glyburide- and YVAD-treated wounds (Fig. 6I and J).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    There was a nonsignificant trend of decreased IL-6 in glyburide- and YVAD-treated wounds.

    “there were nonsignificant trends of decreased TNF-α and IL-6 in glyburide- and YVAD-treated wounds (Fig. 6I and J).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Conditioned medium from day 10 wounds of db/+ mice does not increase DCF fluorescence, but conditioned medium from db/db mice increases DCF fluorescence to a level similar to that of day 5 conditioned medium.

    “Conditioned medium from day 10 wounds of db/+ mice did not increase DCF fluorescence, but conditioned medium from db/db mice increased DCF fluorescence to a level similar to that of day 5 conditioned medium.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    IL-1β blocking antibody only inhibits the downregulation of PI-9 and caspase-12, not NLRP-3 or caspase-1.

    “but the blocking antibody only inhibited the downregulation of PI-9 and caspase-12 (Fig. 5C–F).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Both glyburide and YVAD treatment lead to increased α-smooth-muscle actin staining in wounds of db/db mice.

    “both treatments led to increased α-smooth-muscle actin staining”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    IL-1β in the diabetic wound environment may induce expression of IL-1β and IL-18 and contribute to sustained inflammasome activity in wound macrophages.

    “Taken together, these data indicate that IL-1β in the diabetic wound environment may induce expression of IL-1β and IL-18 and contribute to sustained inflammasome activity in wound Mp.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    Immunofluorescence negative controls included nonstained slides and isotype-specific control antibodies along with secondary antibodies.

    “Negative controls included nonstained slides and isotype-specific control antibodies (IgG1 and IgG2b; Biolegend) along with secondary antibodies.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductown data

    Engraftment in bone marrow transfer experiments was verified to be >85% by flow cytometry.

    “Engraftment was verified in preliminary experiments using congenic mice and was found to be >85% by flow cytometry.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    During inflammasome activation, the proform of caspase-1 is recruited to the NLRP-3 complex and cleaved to produce active caspase-1, which then cleaves and activates IL-1β and IL-18.

    “During inflammasome activation, the proform of caspase-1 is recruited to the NLRP-3 complex and cleaved to produce active caspase-1, which then cleaves and activates the potent proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [16] Martinon, 2009, The inflammasomes: guardians of the body, Annu Rev Immunol source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [17] Strowig, 2012, Inflammasomes in health and disease, Nature source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [18] Pedra, 2009, Sensing pathogens and danger signals by the inflammasome, Curr Opin Immunol source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    During impaired healing associated with diabetes, wounds exhibit prolonged accumulation of Mp associated with elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines and proteases and reduced levels of various growth factors.

    “During impaired healing associated with diabetes, wounds exhibit prolonged accumulation of Mp associated with elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines and proteases and reduced levels of various growth factors (2,12,13).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [2] Blakytny, 2006, The molecular biology of chronic wounds and delayed healing in diabetes, Diabet Med source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [12] Goren, 2003, Leptin and wound inflammation in diabetic ob/ob mice: differential regulation of neutrophil and macrophage influx and a potential role for the scab as a sink for inflammatory cells and mediators, Diabetes source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [13] Greenhalgh, 1990, PDGF and FGF stimulate wound healing in the genetically diabetic mouse, Am J Pathol

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Previous studies have demonstrated that platelet-derived growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, or erythropoietin can improve healing in diabetic mice.

    “Although previous studies have demonstrated that platelet-derived growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), or erythropoietin can improve healing in diabetic mice (13,36,37)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [13] Greenhalgh, 1990, PDGF and FGF stimulate wound healing in the genetically diabetic mouse, Am J Pathol

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [36] Brem, 2009, Mechanism of sustained release of vascular endothelial growth factor in accelerating experimental diabetic healing, J Invest Dermatol source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [37] Hamed, 2010, Topical erythropoietin promotes wound repair in diabetic rats, J Invest Dermatol source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Inhibiting the inflammasome in vivo, either using topical application of pharmacological inhibitors or via bone marrow transfer from NLRP-3- or caspase-1-null mice to db/db mice, promotes the early healing response in part by downregulating the proinflammatory phenotype characteristic of macrophages in diabetic wounds and increasing production of prohealing factors.

    “Importantly, inhibiting the inflammasome in vivo, either using topical application of pharmacological inhibitors or via bone marrow transfer from NLRP-3– or caspase-1–null mice to db/db mice, promotes the early healing response in part by downregulating the proinflammatory phenotype characteristic of Mp in diabetic wounds and increasing production of prohealing factors.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Bone marrow transfer from donor mice to db/db mice specifically targets the inflammasome in macrophages.
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    The downregulation of proinflammatory cytokines and upregulation of prohealing factors was associated with a more prohealing wound environment and improved healing in db/db mice.

    “which, in turn, was associated with a more prohealing wound environment and improved healing in db/db mice.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    The NLRP-3 inflammasome plays a role in the pathophysiology of many inflammatory diseases, including obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes.

    “The NLRP-3 inflammasome plays a role in the pathophysiology of many inflammatory diseases, including obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes (21,31–35).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 6 sources checked
    • cites [21] Dinarello, 2009, Immunological and inflammatory functions of the interleukin-1 family, Annu Rev Immunol source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [31] Dinarello, 2004, Therapeutic strategies to reduce IL-1 activity in treating local and systemic inflammation, Curr Opin Pharmacol source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [32] Larsen, 2007, Interleukin-1-receptor antagonist in type 2 diabetes mellitus, N Engl J Med source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [33] Osborn, 2008, Treatment with an Interleukin 1 beta antibody improves glycemic control in diet-induced obesity, Cytokine source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [34] Stienstra, 2011, Inflammasome is a central player in the induction of obesity and insulin resistance, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [35] Vandanmagsar, 2011, The NLRP3 inflammasome instigates obesity-induced inflammation and insulin resistance, Nat Med source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Blocking inflammasome activity downregulates macrophage expression of the proinflammatory cytokines measured and upregulates expression of prohealing factors.

    “These data indicate that blocking inflammasome activity downregulated Mp expression of proinflammatory cytokines measured and upregulated expression of prohealing factors”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Chronic wounds are typically associated with a persistent inflammatory response that involves accumulation of macrophages.

    “Chronic wounds are typically associated with a persistent inflammatory response that involves accumulation of Mp (19,26–28)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 4 sources checked
    • cites [19] Mast, 1996, Interactions of cytokines, growth factors, and proteases in acute and chronic wounds, Wound Repair Regen source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [26] Loots, 1998, Differences in cellular infiltrate and extracellular matrix of chronic diabetic and venous ulcers versus acute wounds, J Invest Dermatol source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [27] Rosner, 1995, Immunohistochemical characterization of the cutaneous cellular infiltrate in different areas of chronic leg ulcers, APMIS source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [28] Trengove, 2000, Mitogenic activity and cytokine levels in non-healing and healing chronic leg ulcers, Wound Repair Regen source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Glyburide is a commonly used sulfonylurea drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and was recently shown to inhibit the NLRP-3 inflammasome through a mechanism that appears to be different from that involved in its ability to promote insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells.

    “Glyburide is a commonly used sulfonylurea drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and was recently shown to inhibit the NLRP-3 inflammasome through a mechanism that appears to be different from that involved in its ability to promote insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells (38).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [38] Lamkanfi, 2009, Glyburide inhibits the Cryopyrin/Nalp3 inflammasome, J Cell Biol source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Either premature changes in phenotype or delayed/impaired changes in phenotype have been associated with impaired healing.

    “In fact, either premature changes in phenotype or delayed/impaired changes in phenotype have been associated with impaired healing (14,29,49).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [14] Mirza, 2011, Dysregulation of monocyte/macrophage phenotype in wounds of diabetic mice, Cytokine source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [29] Rodero, 2013, Reduced Il17a expression distinguishes a Ly6c(lo)MHCII(hi) macrophage population promoting wound healing, J Invest Dermatol source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [49] Perdiguero, 2011, p38/MKP-1-regulated AKT coordinates macrophage transitions and resolution of inflammation during tissue repair, J Cell Biol source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Both murine and human keratinocytes express inflammasome components NLRP-3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18.

    “For example, both murine and human keratinocytes express inflammasome components NLRP-3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 (43,44).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [43] Feldmeyer, 2007, The inflammasome mediates UVB-induced activation and secretion of interleukin-1beta by keratinocytes, Curr Biol source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [44] Watanabe, 2007, Activation of the IL-1beta-processing inflammasome is involved in contact hypersensitivity, J Invest Dermatol source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Caspase recruitment domain-only proteins (COPs), such as Iceberg, Pseudo-ICE, and caspase-12, and pyrin domain-only proteins (POPs), such as pyrin, POP1, and POP2, are thought to inhibit inflammasome activity by blocking inflammasome assembly and subsequent caspase-1 cleavage.

    “Caspase recruitment domain–only proteins (COPs), such as Iceberg, Pseudo-ICE, and caspase-12, and pyrin domain–only proteins (POPs), such as pyrin, POP1, and POP2, are thought to inhibit inflammasome activity by blocking inflammasome assembly and subsequent caspase-1 cleavage (16,39).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [16] Martinon, 2009, The inflammasomes: guardians of the body, Annu Rev Immunol source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [39] Stehlik, 2007, COPs and POPs: modulators of inflammasome activity, J Immunol source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Components of the inflammasome can be expressed in cell types other than macrophages that are involved in wound healing.

    “Components of the inflammasome can be expressed in cell types other than Mp that are involved in wound healing (42).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [42] Yazdi, 2010, The role of the inflammasome in nonmyeloid cells, J Clin Immunol source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Recent studies have shown that macrophage phenotypes change over the different phases of tissue repair and that the sequential appearance of these phenotypes may be required for efficient repair.

    “Recent studies have shown that Mp phenotypes change over the different phases of tissue repair and that the sequential appearance of these phenotypes may be required for efficient repair (11,14,29,49,50).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 5 sources checked
    • cites [11] Willenborg, 2012, CCR2 recruits an inflammatory macrophage subpopulation critical for angiogenesis in tissue repair, Blood source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [14] Mirza, 2011, Dysregulation of monocyte/macrophage phenotype in wounds of diabetic mice, Cytokine source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [29] Rodero, 2013, Reduced Il17a expression distinguishes a Ly6c(lo)MHCII(hi) macrophage population promoting wound healing, J Invest Dermatol source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [49] Perdiguero, 2011, p38/MKP-1-regulated AKT coordinates macrophage transitions and resolution of inflammation during tissue repair, J Cell Biol source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [50] Novak, 2013, Macrophage phenotypes during tissue repair, J Leukoc Biol source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Accumulating evidence indicates that macrophages are critical orchestrators in healing of many tissues, including skin.

    “Accumulating evidence indicates that Mp are critical orchestrators in healing of many tissues, including skin (3,4,7,48).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 4 sources checked
    • cites [3] Arnold, 2007, Inflammatory monocytes recruited after skeletal muscle injury switch into antiinflammatory macrophages to support myogenesis, J Exp Med source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [4] Mirza, 2009, Selective and specific macrophage ablation is detrimental to wound healing in mice, Am J Pathol source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [7] Duffield, 2005, Selective depletion of macrophages reveals distinct, opposing roles during liver injury and repair, J Clin Invest source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [48] van Amerongen, 2007, Macrophage depletion impairs wound healing and increases left ventricular remodeling after myocardial injury in mice, Am J Pathol source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    Topical application of glyburide and YVAD in our studies could block inflammasome activity in keratinocytes as well as macrophages.

    “Thus, topical application of glyburide and YVAD in our studies could block inflammasome activity in keratinocytes as well as Mp.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Humans express a broad array of COPs and POPs, whereas rodents only express a limited subset.

    “Interestingly, humans express a broad array of COPs and POPs, whereas rodents only express a limited subset (16,39).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [16] Martinon, 2009, The inflammasomes: guardians of the body, Annu Rev Immunol source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [39] Stehlik, 2007, COPs and POPs: modulators of inflammasome activity, J Immunol source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    PI-9 acts by directly binding and inhibiting caspase-1.

    “In addition, other inhibitors such as PI-9 act by directly binding and inhibiting caspase-1 (40,41).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [40] Young, 2000, The serpin proteinase inhibitor 9 is an endogenous inhibitor of interleukin 1beta-converting enzyme (caspase-1) activity in human vascular smooth muscle cells, J Exp Med source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [41] Annand, 1999, Caspase-1 (interleukin-1beta-converting enzyme) is inhibited by the human serpin analogue proteinase inhibitor 9, Biochem J source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Contact hypersensitivity appears to be mediated by the inflammasome/IL-1β pathway.

    “and contact hypersensitivity appears to be mediated by the inflammasome/IL-1β pathway (44,45).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [44] Watanabe, 2007, Activation of the IL-1beta-processing inflammasome is involved in contact hypersensitivity, J Invest Dermatol source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [45] Sutterwala, 2006, Critical role for NALP3/CIAS1/Cryopyrin in innate and adaptive immunity through its regulation of caspase-1, Immunity source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Ultraviolet irradiation-induced IL-1β secretion from human keratinocytes in vitro appears to be mediated by the NLRP-3 inflammasome.

    “In addition, ultraviolet irradiation–induced IL-1β secretion from human keratinocytes in vitro appears to be mediated by the NLRP-3 inflammasome (43)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [43] Feldmeyer, 2007, The inflammasome mediates UVB-induced activation and secretion of interleukin-1beta by keratinocytes, Curr Biol source

      Not checked in the free run.

32 of 32
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The db/db mouse model of type 2 diabetes is representative of human diabetic wound healing for testing inflammasome-targeted therapies.

    “Diabetic db/db mice, nondiabetic db/+ controls, and C57Bl/6 wild-type controls were obtained from The Jackson Laboratory.”
    “Our findings indicate that sustained inflammasome activity in wound Mp contributes to impaired early healing responses of diabetic wounds and that the inflammasome may represent a new therapeutic target for improving healing in diabetic individuals.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Bone marrow transfer from donor mice to db/db mice specifically targets the inflammasome in macrophages.

    “To more specifically target the inflammasome in Mp, we used bone marrow transfer to determine the role of bone marrow cell–derived inflammasome activity in impaired healing of wounds in diabetic mice.”
2 of 2

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Separate reports using two different mouse models of nonhealing wounds demonstrate that iron overloading and sustained inflammasome activation of macrophages results in defective transition from an inflammatory M1 to a prohealing M2 phenotype.

    “Separate reports using two different mouse models of nonhealing wounds108,109 have demonstrated that iron overloading and sustained inflammasome activation of macrophages results in defective transition from an inflammatory M1 to a prohealing M2 phenotype.”

    From The Innate Immune System in Acute and Chronic Wounds (2016) · cites this paper as [108]

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Summary says all measured proinflammatory cytokines decreased, but IL-6 increased

    Minor

    The paragraph reports increased IL-6 expression in macrophages from glyburide-treated wounds, then states that blocking inflammasome activity downregulated macrophage expression of the proinflammatory cytokines measured.

1 of 1

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

4 of the 54 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Mirza, R. E., Fang, M. M., Weinheimer-Haus, E. M., Ennis, W. J., & Koh, T. J.
Affiliations
University of Illinois Chicago (US)
Corresponding author
Koh, Timothy J.
Venue
Diabetes
Published
2014-02-13
Volume
63
Issue
3
Pages
1103-1114
ISSN
  • 0012-1797 (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-327X
OpenAlex
W2110231257
Cited by
319
References
54
Citations by year
2026: 20 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 48 · 2023: 34 · 2022: 31 · 2021: 34 · 2020: 29 · 2019: 22 · 2018: 20 · 2017: 23 · 2016: 16 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 1
FWCI
13.87
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Diabetes (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • National Institute of General Medical Sciences (R01GM092850)
  • National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (T32DE018381)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Wound Healing and Treatments
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Inflammasome and immune disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diabetic Foot Ulcer Assessment and Management
Keywords
NLRP3 inflammasome, diabetic wound healing, macrophages, type 2 diabetes, caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-18, reactive oxygen species, db/db mice, inflammasome inhibitors, bone marrow transfer, chronic inflammation
MeSH terms
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein, Animals, Carrier Proteins, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Female, Humans, Macrophages, Male, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Wound Healing, Reactive Oxygen Species, Caspase 1, Mice, Interleukin-1beta

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-10.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-10.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review