Int J Biol Sci 2022; 18(2):809-825. doi:10.7150/ijbs.63219 This issue Cite

Research Paper

The advanced glycation end-products (AGEs)/ROS/NLRP3 inflammasome axis contributes to delayed diabetic corneal wound healing and nerve regeneration

Luqin Wan1, Xiaofei Bai2, Qingjun Zhou2, Chen Chen2, Huifeng Wang1, Ting Liu2, Junfa Xue2, Chao Wei2✉, Lixin Xie2✉

1. Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, 266071, China.
2. State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China.

Citation:
Wan L, Bai X, Zhou Q, Chen C, Wang H, Liu T, Xue J, Wei C, Xie L. The advanced glycation end-products (AGEs)/ROS/NLRP3 inflammasome axis contributes to delayed diabetic corneal wound healing and nerve regeneration. Int J Biol Sci 2022; 18(2):809-825. doi:10.7150/ijbs.63219. https://www.ijbs.com/v18p0809.htm
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Abstract

Graphic abstract

Diabetic keratopathy (DK) is an important diabetic complication at the ocular surface. Chronic low-grade inflammation mediated by the NLRP3 inflammasome promotes pathogenesis of diabetes and its complications. However, the effect of the NLRP3 inflammasome on DK pathogenesis remains elusive. Wild-type (WT) and Nlrp3 knockout (KO) C57BL/6 mice were used to establish a type I diabetes model by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The effect of the NLRP3 inflammasome on diabetic corneal wound healing and never regeneration was examined by a corneal epithelial abrasion model. Western blot, immunofluorescence staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and pharmacological treatment were performed to investigate the regulatory mechanism of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) on NLRP3 inflammasome activation and corneal wound healing in vivo. The cultured mouse corneal epithelial cells (TKE2) were used to evaluate the effect and mechanism of AGEs on NLRP3 inflammasome activation in vitro. We revealed that NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated inflammation and pyroptosis contributed to DK pathogenesis. Under physiological conditions, the NLRP3 inflammasome was required for corneal wound healing and nerve regeneration. However, under a diabetic scenario, sustained activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome resulted in postponed corneal wound healing and impaired nerve regeneration. Mechanistically, the accumulated AGEs promoted hyperactivation of the NLRP3 inflammasome through ROS production. Moreover, genetically and pharmacologically blocking the AGEs/ROS/NLRP3 inflammasome axis significantly expedited diabetic corneal epithelial wound closure and nerve regeneration. Our results revealed that AGEs-induced hyperactivation of the NLRP3 inflammasome resulted in delayed diabetic corneal wound healing and impaired nerve regeneration, which further highlighted the NLRP3 inflammasome as a promising target for DK treatment.

Keywords: diabetic keratopathy, NLRP3 inflammasome, advanced glycation end products, corneal wound healing, reactive oxygen species


Citation styles

APA
Wan, L., Bai, X., Zhou, Q., Chen, C., Wang, H., Liu, T., Xue, J., Wei, C., Xie, L. (2022). The advanced glycation end-products (AGEs)/ROS/NLRP3 inflammasome axis contributes to delayed diabetic corneal wound healing and nerve regeneration. International Journal of Biological Sciences, 18(2), 809-825. https://doi.org/10.7150/ijbs.63219.

ACS
Wan, L.; Bai, X.; Zhou, Q.; Chen, C.; Wang, H.; Liu, T.; Xue, J.; Wei, C.; Xie, L. The advanced glycation end-products (AGEs)/ROS/NLRP3 inflammasome axis contributes to delayed diabetic corneal wound healing and nerve regeneration. Int. J. Biol. Sci. 2022, 18 (2), 809-825. DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.63219.

NLM
Wan L, Bai X, Zhou Q, Chen C, Wang H, Liu T, Xue J, Wei C, Xie L. The advanced glycation end-products (AGEs)/ROS/NLRP3 inflammasome axis contributes to delayed diabetic corneal wound healing and nerve regeneration. Int J Biol Sci 2022; 18(2):809-825. doi:10.7150/ijbs.63219. https://www.ijbs.com/v18p0809.htm

CSE
Wan L, Bai X, Zhou Q, Chen C, Wang H, Liu T, Xue J, Wei C, Xie L. 2022. The advanced glycation end-products (AGEs)/ROS/NLRP3 inflammasome axis contributes to delayed diabetic corneal wound healing and nerve regeneration. Int J Biol Sci. 18(2):809-825.

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