Berberine augments ATP-induced inflammasome activation in macrophages by enhancing AMPK signaling.

ABSTRACT: The isoquinoline alkaloid berberine possesses many pharmacological activities including antibacterial infection. Although the direct bactericidal effect of berberine has been documented, its influence on the antibacterial functions of macrophages is largely unknown. As inflammasome activation in macrophages is important for the defense against bacterial infection, we aimed to investigate the influence of berberine on inflammasome activation in murine macrophages. Our results showed that berberine significantly increased ATP-induced inflammasome activation as reflected by enhanced pyroptosis as well as increased release of caspase-1p10 and mature interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in macrophages. Such effects of berberine could be suppressed by AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibitor compound C o

SUBMITTER: Li CG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5352208 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature