Extracellular NLRP3 inflammasome particles are internalized by human coronary artery smooth muscle cells and induce pro-atherogenic effects.

ABSTRACT: Inflammation driven by intracellular activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome is involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases including vascular pathologies. Inflammasome specks are released into the extracellular compartment from disrupting pyroptotic cells. The potential uptake and function of extracellular NLRP3 inflammasomes in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (HCASMC) are unknown. Fluorescently labeled NLRP3 inflammasome particles were isolated from a mutant NLRP3-YFP cell line and used to treat primary HCASMC for 4 and 24 h. Fluorescent and expressional analyses showed that extracellular NLRP3-YFP particles are internalized into HCASMC, where they remain active and stimulate intracellular caspase-1 (1.9-fold) and IL-1β (1.5-fold) activation without inducing pyroptotic c

SUBMITTER: Gaul S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8313534 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature