The sspecific NLRP3 antagonist IFM-514 decreases fibrosis and inflammation in experimental murine non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

  • Background and Aims: Activation of the inflammasome NLRP3 (NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain containing 3) contributes to the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and progression to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Therefore, this study explored the therapeutic effects of a novel and selective NLRP3 antagonist in a murine dietary model of NASH. Methods: Groups of 12-week-old ApoE-/- mice were fed ad lib for 7 weeks with a methionine/choline deficient (MCD) and western diet (WD). After 3 weeks of diet-induced injury, mice were injected i. p. with the NLRP3 antagonist IFM-514 (100 mg/kg body weight) or vehicle (0.5% carmellose) every day, 5 days/week for a further 4 weeks. Several markers of inflammation, fibrosis and steatosis were evaluated. Whole transcriptome sequencing and panel RNA expression analysis (NanoString) were performed. Results: IFM-514 inhibited IL-1β production in mice challenged with 20 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide, and in mouse and human inflammatory cells in vitro. IFM-514 inhibited hepatic inflammation in the in vivo non-alcoholic steatohepatitis model assessed by H&E staining and in the hepatic gene expression of inflammasome-related proinflammatory cytokines. This effect was associated with significant reduction in caspase-1 activation. Similarly, IFM-514 was efficacious in vivo in MDC-fed ApoE-/- mice, markedly reducing portal pressure, Sirius red staining and 4-hydroxyproline content compared to vehicle-treated mice. Moreover, IFM-514 significantly reduced hepatic steatosis in MCD-fed ApoE-/- mice, as evidenced by NAFLD scores, oil red O staining, hepatic triglycerides and gene expression. In WD treated animals, similar trends in inflammation and fibrosis were observed, although not sufficient IFM-514 levels were reached. Conclusion: Overall, IFM-514 reduced liver inflammation and fibrosis, with mild effects on liver steatosis in experimental murine NASH. Blocking of NLRP3 may be an attractive therapeutic approach for NASH patients.

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Author:Sandra Torres NúñezORCiD, Maximilian BrolORCiDGND, Fernando Magdaleno, Robert SchierwagenORCiDGND, Frank Erhard UschnerORCiDGND, Sabine KleinORCiD, Cristina OrtizORCiD, Olaf Tyc, Nadine Bachtler, James Stunden, Damien Bertheloot, Ana Kitanovic, Brian Sanchez, Jacob Schrum, William R. Roush, Luigi Franchi, Kate Byth, Eicke Latz, Jonel TrebickaORCiDGND
URN:urn:nbn:de:hebis:30:3-624358
DOI:https://doi.org/10.3389/fmolb.2021.715765
ISSN:2296-889X
Parent Title (English):Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences
Publisher:Frontiers
Place of publication:Lausanne
Document Type:Article
Language:English
Date of Publication (online):2021/08/13
Date of first Publication:2021/08/13
Publishing Institution:Universitätsbibliothek Johann Christian Senckenberg
Release Date:2021/08/30
Tag:NASH; caspase-1; inflammasome; liver fibrosis; steatosis
Volume:8
Issue:art. 715765
Page Number:15
First Page:1
Last Page:15
Note:
This study received funding from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB TRR57 and CRC1382), European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme (Galaxy, No. 668031, MICROB-PREDICT, No. 825694, and DECISION No. 84794), Societal Challenges-Health, Demographic Change, and Well-Being (No. 731875), Cellex Foundation (PREDICT), LIVERHOPE (No. 731875), Enable (funded by Hessian Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and the Arts) and deep-HCC (German Federal Ministry of Education and Research). These funders had no involvement in the design of the study.
HeBIS-PPN:489186548
Institutes:Medizin / Medizin
Dewey Decimal Classification:5 Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik / 57 Biowissenschaften; Biologie / 570 Biowissenschaften; Biologie
6 Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften / 61 Medizin und Gesundheit / 610 Medizin und Gesundheit
Sammlungen:Universitätspublikationen
Licence (German):License LogoCreative Commons - Namensnennung 4.0