Impairing Gasdermin D-mediated pyroptosis is protective against retinal degeneration.

BACKGROUND: Inflammasome activation and the subsequent release of pro-inflammatory cytokines including Interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß) have been widely reported to contribute to the progression of retinal degenerations, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in the Western World. The role of Gasdermin D (GSDMD), a key executioner of pyroptosis following inflammasome activation, however, is less well-established. In this study we aimed to characterise the role of GSDMD in the healthy and degenerating retina, and uncover its role as a conduit for IL-1ß release, including via extracellular vesicle (EV)-mediated release. METHODS: GSDMD mutant and knockout mice, in vitro models of inflammation and a well-established in vivo model of retinal degeneration (photo-oxidative damage; PD) were utilised to explore the role and pathological contribution of GSDMD in regulating IL-1ß release and propagating retinal inflammation. RNA sequencing of whole retinas was used to investigate GSDMD-mediated inflammation during degeneration. The role of EVs in GSDMD-mediated IL-1ß release was investigated using nanoparticle tracking analysis, ELISA and EV inhibition paradigms. Finally, the therapeutic efficacy of targeting GSDMD was examined using GSDMD-specific siRNA. RESULTS: We identified in this work that mice deficient in GSDMD had better-preserved retinal function, increased photoreceptor survivability and reduced inflammation. RNA-Seq analysis revealed that GSDMD may propagate inflammation in the retina via NF-κB signalling cascades and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. We also showed that IL-1ß was packaged and released via EV in a GSDMD-dependent manner. Finally, we demonstrated that impairing GSDMD function using RNAi or blocking EV release was able to reduce IL-1ß content in cell-free supernatant and EV. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these results suggest that pyroptotic pore-forming protein GSDMD plays a key role in the propagation of retinal inflammation, in particular via the release of EV-encapsulated IL-1ß. Targeting GSDMD using genetic or pharmacological inhibitors may pose a therapeutic opportunity to dampen inflammatory cascades and delay the progression of retinal degeneration.