Kaempferol alleviates corneal transplantation rejection by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation and macrophage M1 polarization via promoting autophagy. (July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tian, Huiwen; Lin, Shumei; Wu, Jing; Ma, Ming; Yu, Jian; Zeng, Yuanping; Liu, Qi; Chen, Linjiang; Xu, Jing
• Is Part Of: Experimental eye research. Volume 208(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-07
• Subjects: Corneal transplantation rejection -- NLRP3 inflammasome -- Macrophage polarization -- Autophagy; Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; Eye -- Periodicals; Œil -- Périodiques; Ophthalmology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 612.8405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2021.108627
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-4835

Abstract

Abstract: Corneal transplantation rejection remains a major threat to the success rate of high-risk patients. Given the many side effects presented by traditional immunosuppressants, there is an urgency to clarify the mechanism of corneal transplantation rejection and to identify new therapeutic targets. Kaempferol is a natural flavonoid that has been proven in various studies to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and neuroprotective properties. However, the effect of Ka on corneal transplantation remains largely unexplored. To address this, both at the in vivo and in vitro levels, we established a model of corneal allograft transplantation in Wistar rats and an LPS-induced inflammatory model using human THP-1-derived macrophages. In the transplantation experiments, we observed an enhancement of mRNA and protein level in the NLRP3/IL-1 β axis and in M1 macrophage polarization post-operation. In groups to which kaempferol intraperitoneal injections were administered, this response was effectively reduced. However, the effect of kaempferol was reversed after the application of autophagy inhibitors. Similarly, in the inflammatory model, we found that different concentrations of kaempferol reduced the LPS-induced M1 polarization and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Moreover, we confirmed that kaempferol induced autophagy and that autophagy inhibitors reversed this effect in macrophages. In conclusion, we found that kaempferol can inhibit the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes by inducing autophagy, thus inhibiting macrophage polarization, and ultimately alleviating corneal transplantation rejection. Thus, our study suggests that kaempferol is a potential therapeutic agent in the treatment of allograft rejection. Highlights: We found for the first time that NLRP3 inflammasome activation and M1 macrophages polarization participates in corneal transplantation rejection. We figured out that kaempferol delays corneal transplantation rejection. We proved that the protective effect of kaempferol is achieved by inducing autophagy.