holomycin and Inflammation

The contribution of the NLRP3 inflammasome in osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis has been uncovered in recent years. Holomycin (HL) has recently been identified as a novel NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor. Herein, we aimed to explore the benefits of HL for OA. A chondrocyte-macrophage co-culture system and the destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) mouse model were established to study the effect of HL on OA in vitro and in vivo. ECM degradation-related proteins (MMP-13, aggrecan, and Collagen II) were detected by Western blot (WB) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The chondrocyte senescence was determined by cell cycle, p16 and p21 expressions, and SA-β-Gal staining. The cartilage degeneration was evaluated by OARSI score and Safranin O and H&E staining. Inflammation and NLRP3 inflammasome activation were investigated via RT-PCR, ELISA, WB, and IHC. In vitro studies showed that IL-1β stimulation caused a significant increase of MMP13, p16, p21, and β-galactosidase expressions, a G1-phase arrest, and a down-regulation of aggrecan and Collagen II in chondrocytes, and the increased expressions of IL-6, CXCL-1, IL-1β, NLRP3, and Caspase 1 p20 in both chondrocyte and macrophage. Meanwhile, HL administration could partly reverse these effects induced by IL-1β. In DMM mouse models, intra-articular administration of HL alleviated cartilage degeneration and inflammation, as evidenced by the decrease of OARSI score and MMP13, p16, p21, Collagen II, IL-6, and CXCL-1 expressions and the restoration of chondrocyte number, proteoglycan, and MMP13 expression in cartilage tissues. This study identified HL as a promising agent for OA.

Topics: Aggrecans; Animals; Cartilage; Cartilage, Articular; Chondrocytes; Collagen; Disease Models, Animal; Extracellular Matrix Proteins; Inflammasomes; Inflammation; Interleukin-6; Matrix Metalloproteinase 13; Mice; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein; Osteoarthritis