NLRP3 inflammasome blockade reduces adipose tissue inflammation and extracellular matrix remodeling

The NLRP3-IL-1β pathway plays an important role in adipose tissue(AT)-induced inflammation and the development of obesityassociated comorbidities.We aimed to determine the impact of NLRP3 on obesity and its associated metabolic alterations as well as its role in adipocyte inflammation and extracellular matrix(ECM)remodeling.Samples obtained from 98 subjects were used in a case-control study.The expression of different components of the inflammasome as well as their main effectors and inflammation-and ECM remodeling-related genes were analyzed.The impact of blocking NLRP3 using siRNA in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-mediated inflammation and ECM remodeling signaling pathways was evaluated.We demonstrated that obesity(P<0.01),obesity-associated T2D(P<0.01)and NAFLD(P<0.05)increased the expression of different com ponents of the inflammasome as well as the expression and release of IL-1β and IL-18 in AT.We also found that obese patients with T2D exhibited increased(P<0.05)hepatic gene expression levels of NLRP3,IL1B and IL18.We showed that NLRP3,but not NLRP1,is regulated by inflammation and hypoxia in visceral adipocytes.We revealed that the inhibition of NLRP3 in human visceral adipocytes significantly blocked(P<0.01)LPS-induced inflammation by downregulating the mRNA levels of CCL2,IL1B,IL6,IL8,S100A8,S100A9,TLR4 and TNF as well as inhibiting(P<0.01)the secretion of IL1-β into the culture medium.Furthermore,blocking NLRP3 attenuated(P<0.01)the LPS-induced expression of important molecules involved in AT fibrosis(COL1A1,COL4A3,COL6A3 and MMP2).These novel findings provide evidence that blocking the expression of NLRP3 reduces AT inflammation with significant fibrosis attenuation.

FNDC4 and FNDC5 reduce SARS-CoV-2 entry points and spike glycoprotein S1-induced pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis in human adipocytes

A sedentary lifestyle and obesity are important risk factors for severe COVID-19 complications and death[1,2].Excessive adipose tissue(AT)might contribute to more extensive viral spread with increased shedding,immune activation,and cytokine amplification[3].Several factors secreted by contracting muscle,termed myokines,mediate the beneficial effects of exercise in a wide range of diseases,including obesity[4].Thus,we conducted a study to explore the potential role of myokines of the fibronectin type III domain-containing family,FNDC4 and FNDC5,in mechanisms underlying the increased susceptibility to COVID-19 complications in obesity.