NLRP12 is an innate immune checkpoint for repressing IFN signatures and attenuating lupus nephritis progression.

Signaling driven by nucleic acid sensors participates in interferonopathy-mediated autoimmune diseases. NLRP12, a pyrin-containing NLR protein, is a negative regulator of innate immune activation and type I interferon (IFN-I) production. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) derived from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients expressed lower levels of NLRP12, with an inverse correlation with IFNA expression and high disease activity. NLRP12 expression was transcriptionally suppressed by runt-related transcription factor 1-dependent (RUNX1-dependent) epigenetic regulation under IFN-I treatment, which enhanced a negative feedback loop between low NLRP12 expression and IFN-I production. Reduced NLRP12 protein levels in SLE monocytes was linked to spontaneous activation of innate immune signaling and hyperresponsiveness to nucleic acid stimulations. Pristane-treated Nlrp12-/- mice exhibited augmented inflammation and immune responses; and substantial lymphoid hypertrophy was characterized in NLRP12-deficient lupus-prone mice. NLRP12 deficiency mediated the increase of autoantibody production, intensive glomerular IgG deposition, monocyte recruitment, and the deterioration of kidney function. These were bound in an IFN-I signature-dependent manner in the mouse models. Collectively, we reveal a remarkable link between low NLRP12 expression and lupus progression, which suggests the impact of NLRP12 on homeostasis and immune resilience.

Production and Physicochemical Properties of Starch Isolated from Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum).

Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz.) is an annual fast-growing underutilized pseudo cereal with a high percentage of starch content. In this study, djulis starch was extracted from the flour of dried grains by three different isolation procedures: (1) hydrochloric acid (HCl) isolation procedure (HP); (2) deionized water isolation procedure (WP); and (3) sodium hydroxide (NaOH) isolation procedure (NP), followed by investigation of the physicochemical properties of the isolated djulis starch. The amylose content of HP, WP, and NP was 22.14%, 24.15%, and 22.43%, respectively. For scanning electron microscopy (SEM) morphological observation, djulis starch presented a polygonal shape with granule sizes of 0.56-1.96, 0.74-3.02, and 0.62-2.48 µm, respectively. Djulis starch showed the classification of typical A-type x-ray patterns, and the relative degree of crystallinity for HP, WP, and NP was 33.15%, 36.17%, and 37.42%, respectively. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis was used to determine the transition temperatures, transition range, and enthalpies of the gelatinization of starches. HP and WP isolated starch exhibited the highest ΔH 9.24 and 8.51 J/g, respectively, whereas NP starch showed the lowest ΔH of 6.95 J/g. The pasting temperatures of HP, WP, and NP isolated starch, which were analyzed by using a Rapid Visco Analyzer (RVA), were 71.70 °C, 72.80 °C, and 69.53 °C, respectively. The dependence of swelling power for the three isolated starches on temperature was tested at 10 °C with intervals between 60 °C and 90 °C. In short, the NP isolation procedure with a stable reaction is compelling from a technological point of view.