Role of NLRP3 and NLRP1 inflammasomes signaling pathways in pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the role of NLRP3 and NLRP1 inflammasomes signaling pathways in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: A total of 36 patients with RA were selected, peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) and granulocyte were separated from venous blood. RT-qPCR method was used to detect the expression level and diversity of NLRP3 and NLRP1 in PBMC and granulocyte mRNA in patients with RA, and detect the mRNA expression of downstream factor IL-1α. The correlation between RA and the expression of NLRP3 and NLRP1 was analyzed. Normal 30 cases were set as control group. Results: Expression levels of NLRP1, and caspase-1 mRNA in PBMC of RA group were significantly lower than those of control group (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, IL-1α mRNA between these two groups (P>0.05); NLRP3, caspase-1, and ASC mRNA expression in granulocyte of RA patients were significantly lower than those in control group (P<0.05). There was no correlation between rheumatoid factor and expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 mRNA in RA group (P>0.05); NLRP1, IL-1α mRNA expression level had a negative correlation with anti-rheumatoid factor antibody (P=0.033 2, 0.034 0). Conclusions: NLRP3 and NLRP1 inflammasomes signaling pathways are involved in RA inflammatory reaction process as protective factors, and play an important role in RA inflammatory mechanisms. © 2014 Hainan Medical College.