NLRP3 cages revealed by full-length mouse NLRP3 structure control pathway activation.

The NACHT-, leucine-rich-repeat- (LRR), and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) is emerging to be a critical intracellular inflammasome sensor of membrane integrity and a highly important clinical target against chronic inflammation. Here, we report that an endogenous, stimulus-responsive form of full-length mouse NLRP3 is a 12- to 16-mer double-ring cage held together by LRR-LRR interactions with the pyrin domains shielded within the assembly to avoid premature activation. Surprisingly, this NLRP3 form is predominantly membrane localized, which is consistent with previously noted localization of NLRP3 at various membrane organelles. Structure-guided mutagenesis reveals that trans-Golgi network dispersion into vesicles, an early event observed for many NLRP3-activating stimuli, requires the double-ring cages of NLRP3. Double-ring-defective NLRP3 mutants abolish inflammasome punctum formation, caspase-1 processing, and cell death. Thus, our data uncover a physiological NLRP3 oligomer on the membrane that is poised to sense diverse signals to induce inflammasome activation.

IKKß primes inflammasome formation by recruiting NLRP3 to the trans-Golgi network.

The NLRP3 inflammasome plays a central role in antimicrobial defense as well as in the context of sterile inflammatory conditions. NLRP3 activity is governed by two independent signals: the first signal primes NLRP3, rendering it responsive to the second signal, which then triggers inflammasome formation. Our understanding of how NLRP3 priming contributes to inflammasome activation remains limited. Here, we show that IKKß, a kinase activated during priming, induces recruitment of NLRP3 to phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PI4P), a phospholipid enriched on the trans-Golgi network. NEK7, a mitotic spindle kinase that had previously been thought to be indispensable for NLRP3 activation, was redundant for inflammasome formation when IKKß recruited NLRP3 to PI4P. Studying iPSC-derived human macrophages revealed that the IKKß-mediated NEK7-independent pathway constitutes the predominant NLRP3 priming mechanism in human myeloid cells. Our results suggest that PI4P binding represents a primed state into which NLRP3 is brought by IKKß activity.

ZDHHC5-mediated NLRP3 palmitoylation promotes NLRP3-NEK7 interaction and inflammasome activation.

The nucleotide-binding domain (NBD), leucine-rich repeat (LRR), and pyrin domain (PYD)-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a critical mediator of the innate immune response. How NLRP3 responds to stimuli and initiates the assembly of the NLRP3 inflammasome is not fully understood. Here, we found that a cellular metabolite, palmitate, facilitates NLRP3 activation by enhancing its S-palmitoylation, in synergy with lipopolysaccharide stimulation. NLRP3 is post-translationally palmitoylated by zinc-finger and aspartate-histidine-histidine-cysteine 5 (ZDHHC5) at the LRR domain, which promotes NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and activation. Silencing ZDHHC5 blocks NLRP3 oligomerization, NLRP3-NEK7 interaction, and formation of large intracellular ASC aggregates, leading to abrogation of caspase-1 activation, IL-1ß/18 release, and GSDMD cleavage, both in human cells and in mice. ABHD17A depalmitoylates NLRP3, and one human-heritable disease-associated mutation in NLRP3 was found to be associated with defective ABHD17A binding and hyper-palmitoylation. Furthermore, Zdhhc5-/- mice showed defective NLRP3 inflammasome activation in vivo. Taken together, our data reveal an endogenous mechanism of inflammasome assembly and activation and suggest NLRP3 palmitoylation as a potential target for the treatment of NLRP3 inflammasome-driven diseases.

MARCH5-dependent NLRP3 ubiquitination is required for mitochondrial NLRP3-NEK7 complex formation and NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

The NLRP3 inflammasome plays a key role in responding to pathogens, and endogenous damage and mitochondria are intensively involved in inflammasome activation. The NLRP3 inflammasome forms multiprotein complexes and its sequential assembly is important for its activation. Here, we show that NLRP3 is ubiquitinated by the mitochondria-associated E3 ligase, MARCH5. Myeloid cell-specific March5 conditional knockout (March5 cKO) mice failed to secrete IL-1ß and IL-18 and exhibited an attenuated mortality rate upon LPS or Pseudomonas aeruginosa challenge. Macrophages derived from March5 cKO mice also did not produce IL-1ß and IL-18 after microbial infection. Mechanistically, MARCH5 interacts with the NACHT domain of NLRP3 and promotes K27-linked polyubiquitination on K324 and K430 residues of NLRP3. Ubiquitination-defective NLRP3 mutants on K324 and K430 residues are not able to bind to NEK7, nor form NLRP3 oligomers leading to abortive ASC speck formation and diminished IL-1ß production. Thus, MARCH5-dependent NLRP3 ubiquitination on the mitochondria is required for NLRP3-NEK7 complex formation and NLRP3 oligomerization. We propose that the E3 ligase MARCH5 is a regulator of NLRP3 inflammasome activation on the mitochondria.

Inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation by A20 through modulation of NEK7.

The NLRP3 inflammasome, a pivotal component of innate immunity, has been implicated in various inflammatory disorders. The ubiquitin-editing enzyme A20 is well known to regulate inflammation and maintain homeostasis. However, the precise molecular mechanisms by which A20 modulates the NLRP3 inflammasome remain poorly understood. Here, our study revealed that macrophages deficient in A20 exhibit increased protein abundance and elevated mRNA level of NIMA-related kinase 7 (NEK7). Importantly, A20 directly binds with NEK7, mediating its K48-linked ubiquitination, thereby targeting NEK7 for proteasomal degradation. Our results demonstrate that A20 enhances the ubiquitination of NEK7 at K189 and K293 ubiquitinated sites, with K189 playing a crucial role in the binding of NEK7 to A20, albeit not significantly influencing the interaction between NEK7 and NLRP3. Furthermore, A20 disrupts the association of NEK7 with the NLRP3 complex, potentially through the OTU domain and/or synergistic effect of ZnF4 and ZnF7 motifs. Significantly, NEK7 deletion markedly attenuates the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in A20-deficient conditions, both in vitro and in vivo. This study uncovers a mechanism by which A20 inhibits the NLRP3 inflammasome.

The mesenchymal morphology of cells expressing the EML4-ALK V3 oncogene is dependent on phosphorylation of Eg5 by NEK7.

Echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 (EML4)-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) oncogenic fusion proteins are found in approximately 5% of non-small cell lung cancers. Different EML4-ALK fusion variants exist with variant 3 (V3) being associated with a significantly higher risk than other common variants, such as variant 1 (V1). Patients with V3 respond less well to targeted ALK inhibitors, have accelerated rates of metastasis, and have poorer overall survival. A pathway has been described downstream of EML4-ALK V3 that is independent of ALK catalytic activity but dependent on the NEK9 and NEK7 kinases. It has been proposed that assembly of an EML4-ALK V3-NEK9-NEK7 complex on microtubules leads to cells developing a mesenchymal-like morphology and exhibiting enhanced migration. However, downstream targets of this complex remain unknown. Here, we show that the microtubule-based kinesin, Eg5, is recruited to interphase microtubules in cells expressing EML4-ALK V3, whereas chemical inhibition of Eg5 reverses the mesenchymal morphology of cells. Furthermore, we show that depletion of NEK7 interferes with Eg5 recruitment to microtubules in cells expressing EML4-ALK V3 and cell length is reduced, but this is reversed by coexpression of a phosphomimetic mutant of Eg5, in a site, S1033, phosphorylated by NEK7. Intriguingly, we also found that expression of Eg5-S1033D led to cells expressing EML4-ALK V1 adopting a more mesenchymal-like morphology. Together, we propose that Eg5 acts as a substrate of NEK7 in cells expressing EML4-ALK V3 and Eg5 phosphorylation promotes the mesenchymal morphology typical of these cells.

Humans pIKK-up NLRP3 to skip NEK7.

NLRP3 inflammasome regulation is essential for controlling cell death and inflammation. Mechanistic studies in murine cells suggest a two-step model of priming and activation with an indispensable role for NEK7. However, in a recent article in Immunity, Schmacke et al. report that, in humans, transcription-independent NLRP3 activation occurs by circumventing NEK7 via IKKß.

Nek7 Protects Telomeres from Oxidative DNA Damage by Phosphorylation and Stabilization of TRF1.

Telomeric repeat binding factor 1 (TRF1) is essential to the maintenance of telomere chromatin structure and integrity. However, how telomere integrity is maintained, especially in response to damage, remains poorly understood. Here, we identify Nek7, a member of the Never in Mitosis Gene A (NIMA) kinase family, as a regulator of telomere integrity. Nek7 is recruited to telomeres and stabilizes TRF1 at telomeres after damage in an ATM activation-dependent manner. Nek7 deficiency leads to telomere aberrations, long-lasting γH2AX and 53BP1 foci, and augmented cell death upon oxidative telomeric DNA damage. Mechanistically, Nek7 interacts with and phosphorylates TRF1 on Ser114, which prevents TRF1 from binding to Fbx4, an Skp1-Cul1-F box E3 ligase subunit, thereby alleviating proteasomal degradation of TRF1, leading to a stable association of TRF1 with Tin2 to form a shelterin complex. Our data reveal a mechanism of efficient protection of telomeres from damage through Nek7-dependent stabilization of TRF1.

PLK4 deubiquitination by Spata2-CYLD suppresses NEK7-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation at the centrosome.

The innate immune sensor NLRP3 assembles an inflammasome complex with NEK7 and ASC to activate caspase-1 and drive the maturation of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1ß and IL-18. NLRP3 inflammasome activity must be tightly controlled, as its over-activation is involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. Here, we show that NLRP3 inflammasome activation is suppressed by a centrosomal protein Spata2. Spata2 deficiency enhances NLRP3 inflammasome activity both in the macrophages and in an animal model of peritonitis. Mechanistically, Spata2 recruits the deubiquitinase CYLD to the centrosome for deubiquitination of polo-like kinase 4 (PLK4), the master regulator of centrosome duplication. Deubiquitination of PLK4 facilitates its binding to and phosphorylation of NEK7 at Ser204. NEK7 phosphorylation in turn attenuates NEK7 and NLRP3 interaction, which is required for NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Pharmacological or shRNA-mediated inhibition of PLK4, or mutation of the NEK7 Ser204 phosphorylation site, augments NEK7 interaction with NLRP3 and causes increased NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Our study unravels a novel centrosomal regulatory pathway of inflammasome activation and may provide new therapeutic targets for the treatment of NLRP3-associated inflammatory diseases.

Licochalcone B specifically inhibits the NLRP3 inflammasome by disrupting NEK7-NLRP3 interaction.

The activation of the nucleotide oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor (NLR) family, pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is related to the pathogenesis of a wide range of inflammatory diseases, but drugs targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome are still scarce. In the present study, we demonstrated that Licochalcone B (LicoB), a main component of the traditional medicinal herb licorice, is a specific inhibitor of the NLRP3 inflammasome. LicoB inhibits the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages but has no effect on the activation of AIM2 or NLRC4 inflammasome. Mechanistically, LicoB directly binds to NEK7 and inhibits the interaction between NLRP3 and NEK7, thus suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Furthermore, LicoB exhibits protective effects in mouse models of NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated diseases, including lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced septic shock, MSU-induced peritonitis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Our findings indicate that LicoB is a specific NLRP3 inhibitor and a promising candidate for treating NLRP3 inflammasome-related diseases.

In silico study to identify novel NEK7 inhibitors from natural sources by a combination strategy.

Cancer poses a significant global health challenge and significantly contributes to mortality. NEK7, related to the NIMA protein kinase family, plays a crucial role in spindle assembly and cell division. The dysregulation of NEK7 is closely linked to the onset and progression of various cancers, especially colon and breast cancer, making it a promising target for cancer therapy. Nevertheless, the shortage of high-quality NEK7 inhibitors highlights the need for new therapeutic strategies. In this study, we utilized a multidisciplinary approach, including virtual screening, molecular docking, pharmacokinetics, molecular dynamics simulations (MDs), and MM/PBSA calculations, to evaluate natural compounds as NEK7 inhibitors comprehensively. Through various docking strategies, we identified three natural compounds: (-)-balanol, digallic acid, and scutellarin. Molecular docking revealed significant interactions at residues such as GLU112 and ALA114, with docking scores of -15.054, -13.059, and -11.547 kcal/mol, respectively, highlighting their potential as NEK7 inhibitors. MDs confirmed the stability of these compounds at the NEK7-binding site. Hydrogen bond analysis during simulations revealed consistent interactions, supporting their strong binding capacity. MM/PBSA analysis identified other crucial amino acids contributing to binding affinity, including ILE20, VAL28, ILE75, LEU93, ALA94, LYS143, PHE148, LEU160, and THR161, crucial for stabilizing the complex. This research demonstrated that these compounds exceeded dabrafenib in binding energy, according to MM/PBSA calculations, underscoring their effectiveness as NEK7 inhibitors. ADME/T predictions showed lower oral toxicity for these compounds, suggesting their potential for further development. This study highlights the promise of these natural compounds as bases for creating more potent derivatives with significant biological activities, paving the way for future experimental validation.

HDAC Inhibitor SAHA Alleviates Pyroptosis by up-regulating miR-340 to Inhibit NEK7 Signaling in Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a cerebral hemorrhagic disease with a high disability and fatality rate. Cell pyroptosis is involved in the brain injury following SAH. Here, we explored the effect of HDAC inhibitor SAHA against cell pyroptosis after SAH. METHODS: The rat SAH model was established by endovascular perforation and the rat microglia were treated with 25 µm oxyhemoglobin (OxyHb) for 24 h to mimic SAH model in vitro. Neurological score and brain edema were assessed in rat SAH model. TUNEL staining detected apoptosis. qRT-PCR and western blotting were employed to detect expression levels of miR-340, NEK7 and inflammatory cytokines. ELISA assay determined the secretion of IL-1ß and IL-18 in rat serum and cell supernatant. A lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) kit measured the LDH activity in rat primary microglia. Microglia pyroptosis was detected by flow cytometry. RIP and dual luciferase reporter assays confirmed the binding relationship between miR-340 and NEK7. RESULTS: SAHA alleviated neurological dysfunction, inflammatory injury and microglia pyroptosis in SAH rats. SAHA suppressed LDH release, inflammatory factor expression and pyroptosis in microglia treated with OxyHb. Meanwhile, SAHA increased miR-340 expression and inhibited NEK7 level in vivo and in vitro SAH models. Further, miR-340 directly targeted NEK7 to inhibit the NLRP3 signaling pathway. Knockdown of miR-340 or overexpression of NEK7 reversed the suppressive effects of SAHA on microglia inflammation and pyroptosis. Additionally, knockdown of NEK7 impaired microglia inflammation and pyroptosis induced by miR-340 inhibitor. CONCLUSION: HDAC inhibitor SAHA ameliorates microglia pyroptosis in SAH through triggering miR-340 expression to suppress NEK7 signaling. This novel mechanism provides promise for SAHA in SAH treatment.

LncRNA SNHG3 Promotes Sevoflurane-Induced Neuronal Injury by Activating NLRP3 via NEK7.

BACKGROUND: Early exposure to sevoflurane may cause brain tissue degeneration; however, the mechanism involved in this process has not been explored. In this study, we investigated the role of long non-coding RNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 3 (lncRNA SNHG3) in sevoflurane-induced neuronal injury. METHODS: The injury models of HT22 and primary cultures of neurons were constructed using sevoflurane treatment. The WST-8 reduction was detected by CCK-8 assay, the level of inflammatory factors was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and cell pyroptosis was detected by flow cytometry. The expression of genes and proteins was detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. The level of ß-tubulin III in primary cultures of hippocampal neurons was analyzed by immunofluorescence. The relationship among SNHG3, PTBP1 and NEK7 was confirmed by RIP assay. RESULTS: The expression of SNHG3 and NEK7 were enhanced in sevoflurane-treated HT22 cells. Sevoflurane inhibited the WST-8 reduction in a concentration-dependent manner, promoted the pyroptosis, and increased pyroptosis-related protein expression. SNHG3 knockdown significantly inhibited sevoflurane-induced pyroptosis and inflammatory injury in HT22 cells and primary cultures of neurons. Furthermore, SNHG3 regulated NEK7 expression by binding to PTBP1. NEK7 knockdown reversed the decrease in WST-8 reduction, inhibited pyroptosis, and decreased the release of inflammatory factors and pyroptosis-related protein expression by inactivation of NLRP3 signaling in sevoflurane-induced HT22 cells. Moreover, NEK7 overexpression attenuated the effect of SNHG3 knockdown on neuronal pyroptosis and inflammation injury. CONCLUSION: Downregulation of SNHG3 attenuates sevoflurane-induced neuronal inflammation and pyroptosis by mediating the NEK7/NLRP3 axis, suggesting that SNHG3 could be a potential target gene for neuronal injury.

NEK7 inhibition attenuates Aß42-induced cognitive impairment by regulating TLR4/NF-κB and the NLRP3 inflammasome in mice.

NEK7 is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates cell mitosis and the activation of the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like (NOD-like) receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, and is related to neuroinflammation and neuronal damage. The purpose of this study was to explore the role and mechanism of NEK7 in cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease (AD). BV2 cells, a microglia cell line, was treated with Aß42. NEK7 expression was measured with reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. An apoptosis kit was used to determine the apoptotic rate. APPswe/PS1dE9 (APP/PS1) transgenic mice were used as an in vivo AD model. The experimental mice were infected with sh-NEK7 lentivirus to downregulate NEK7. The Morris water maze was conducted to explore the effect of NEK7 downregulation on cognitive ability. The results showed that Aß42 significantly upregulated NEK7 in BV2 cells. Silencing NEK7 suppressed the decrease in BV2 viability and the increase in inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by Aß42. NEK7 mediated it effects through the TLR4/NF-κB signalling pathway and the NLRP3 inflammasome. Finally, inhibition of NEK7 alleviated the cognitive impairment in APP/PS1 mice. In conclusion, Silencing NEK7 suppresses Aß42-induced cell apoptosis, inflammation and oxidative stress, and improves cognitive performance in AD mice. NEK7 may be a potential target for AD treatment.

EML4-ALK V3 oncogenic fusion proteins promote microtubule stabilization and accelerated migration through NEK9 and NEK7.

EML4-ALK is an oncogenic fusion present in ∼5% of non-small cell lung cancers. However, alternative breakpoints in the EML4 gene lead to distinct variants of EML4-ALK with different patient outcomes. Here, we show that, in cell models, EML4-ALK variant 3 (V3), which is linked to accelerated metastatic spread, causes microtubule stabilization, formation of extended cytoplasmic protrusions and increased cell migration. EML4-ALK V3 also recruits the NEK9 and NEK7 kinases to microtubules via the N-terminal EML4 microtubule-binding region. Overexpression of wild-type EML4, as well as constitutive activation of NEK9, also perturbs cell morphology and accelerates migration in a microtubule-dependent manner that requires the downstream kinase NEK7 but does not require ALK activity. Strikingly, elevated NEK9 expression is associated with reduced progression-free survival in EML4-ALK patients. Hence, we propose that EML4-ALK V3 promotes microtubule stabilization through NEK9 and NEK7, leading to increased cell migration. This represents a novel actionable pathway that could drive metastatic disease progression in EML4-ALK lung cancer.

Identification of host cell proteins that interact with the M protein of Pigeon paramyxovirus type 1.

Pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 (PPMV-1) belongs to the avian paramyxovirus type 1 group of viruses, which can cause tremors, torticollis, and respiratory signs in domestic and wild pigeons. The M protein of PPMV-1 is a multifunctional structural protein. It not only helps in the assembly, budding, and positioning of the virus but also inhibits the host's immune response and promotes replication of the virus in the host. In this study, the GST pull-down method was used to screen host proteins that interact with PPMV-1 M protein, and then mass spectrometry (MS) was used to analyse the screened host proteins. Enrichment analysis of the differentially expressed genes showed that the 77 screened proteins were highly associated with the gene ontology categories: protein synthesis, metabolism, and cell signalling pathway transduction. We selected NIMA-related kinase 7 (NEK7) as the candidate protein for co-localization analysis and co-immunoprecipitation verification. The results revealed that PPMV-1 M protein interacts with NEK7 of the host cell. This interactome study of PPMV-1 M protein will serve to clarify its function during viral replication and will provide a crucial theoretical basis for studying the pathogenic mechanism of PPMV-1.

Influenza A viruses limit NLRP3-NEK7-complex formation and pyroptosis in human macrophages.

Pyroptosis is a fulminant form of macrophage cell death, contributing to release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In humans, it depends on caspase 1/4-activation of gasdermin D and is characterized by the release of cytoplasmic content. Pathogens apply strategies to avoid or antagonize this host response. We demonstrate here that a small accessory protein (PB1-F2) of contemporary H5N1 and H3N2 influenza A viruses (IAV) curtails fulminant cell death of infected human macrophages. Infection of macrophages with a PB1-F2-deficient mutant of a contemporary IAV resulted in higher levels of caspase-1 activation, cleavage of gasdermin D, and release of LDH and IL-1ß. Mechanistically, PB1-F2 limits transition of NLRP3 from its auto-repressed and closed confirmation into its active state. Consequently, interaction of a recently identified licensing kinase NEK7 with NLRP3 is diminished, which is required to initiate inflammasome assembly.

LCC18, a benzamide-linked small molecule, ameliorates IgA nephropathy in mice.

IgA nephropathy (IgAN), an immune complex-mediated process and the most common primary glomerulonephritis, can progress to end-stage renal disease in up to 40% of patients. Accordingly, a therapeutic strategy targeting a specific molecular pathway is urgently warranted. Aided by structure characterisation and target identification, we predicted that a novel ring-fused 6-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2H-benzo[e][1,3]oxazine-2,4(3H)-dione (LCC18) targets the NLRP3 inflammasome, which participates in IgAN pathogenesis. We further developed biomarkers for the disease. We used two complementary IgAN models in C57BL/6 mice, involving TEPC-15 hybridoma-derived IgA, and in gddY mice. Moreover, we created specific cell models to validate therapeutic effects of LCC18 on IgAN and to explain its underlying mechanisms. IgAN mice benefited significantly from treatment with LCC18, showing dramatically improved renal function, including greatly reduced proteinuria and renal pathology. Mechanistic studies showed that the mode of action specifically involved: (1) blocking of the MAPKs/COX-2 axis-mediated priming of the NLRP3 inflammasome; (2) inhibition of ASC oligomerisation and NLRP3 inflammasome assembly by inhibiting NLRP3 binding to PKR, NEK7 and ASC; and (3) activation of autophagy. LCC18 exerts therapeutic effects on murine IgAN by differentially regulating NLRP3 inflammasome activation and autophagy induction, suggesting this new compound as a promising drug candidate to treat IgAN. © 2020 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

NIMA-related kinase 7 amplifies NLRP3 inflammasome pro-inflammatory signaling in microglia/macrophages and mice models of spinal cord injury.

BACKGROUND: NIMA-related kinase-7 (NEK7) is a serine/threonine kinase that drives cell-cycle dynamics by modulating mitotic spindle formation and cytokinesis. It is also a crucial modulator of the pro-inflammatory effects of NOD-like receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. However, the role of NEK7 in microglia/macrophages post-spinal cord injury (SCI) is not well defined. METHODS: In this study, we performed both in vivo and in vitro experiments. Using an in vivo mouse SCI model, NEK7 siRNAs were administered intraspinally. For in vitro analysis, BV-2 microglia cells with NEK7-siRNA were stimulated with 1 µg/ml lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and 2 mM Adenosine triphosphate (ATP). RESULTS: Here, we found that the mRNA and protein levels of NEK7 and NLRP3 inflammasomes were upregulated in spinal cord tissues of injured mice and BV-2 microglia cells exposed to Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and Adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Further experiments established that NEK7 and NLRP3 interacted in BV-2 microglia cells, an effect that was eliminated following NEK7 ablation. Moreover, NEK7 ablation suppressed the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes. Although NEK7 inhibition did not significantly improve motor function post-SCI in mice, it was found to attenuate local inflammatory response and inhibit the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in microglia/macrophages of the injured spinal cord. CONCLUSION: NEK7 amplifies NLRP3 inflammasome pro-inflammatory signaling in BV-2 microglia cells and mice models of SCI. Therefore, agents targeting the NEK7/NLRP3 signaling offers great promise in the treatment of inflammatory response post-SCI.

Rosmarinic acid alleviates acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity by targeting Nrf2 and NEK7-NLRP3 signaling pathway.

Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a natural polyphenol with various biological activities, such as anti-oxidative, anti-fibrotic, and hepatoprotective properties. The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effect of RA against acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity (AILI) and explore the underlying mechanisms. Kunming mice were treated with RA (20, 40, or 80 mg/kg, i.g) for 7d, followed by an intraperitoneal injection of APAP (500 mg/kg). The liver injury was evaluated by serum biochemical and liver histopathological examinations. Human HepG2 cells were pre-treated with RA (20, 40, or 80 µmol/L) and then incubated with APAP (25 mmol/L) for 24 h. The MTT assay, wound healing assay, transwell migration assay, flow cytometry, and western blotting were employed to further evaluate RA's protective effects on AILI and explore the mechanisms. The results indicated that RA pre-treatment lowered the serum ALT and AST levels, ameliorated the histological damage to the liver, and reduced ROS generation and the production of IL-1ß and IL-18 in the liver tissues in APAP-treated mice. Moreover, pre-treatment with RA could promote the cell viability and migration ability and inhibit apoptosis in APAP-treated HepG2 cells. Mechanistically, RA could significantly suppress the APAP-induced activation of the NEK7-NLRP3 signaling pathway. Notably, depletion of Nrf2 by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) partly eliminated the protective effects of RA on AILI and the suppression of NEK7-NLRP3 signaling by RA. In summary, these results indicate that RA has a protective role against AILI through Nrf2-mediated inhibition of ROS production and suppression of the NEK7-NLRP3 pathway.