LOX-1, mtDNA damage, and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in macrophages: implications in atherogenesis

Lectin-like ox-LDL scavenger receptor-1 (LOX-1) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage play a key role in a variety of cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, hypertension, and inflammation. We posited that damaged mtDNA could trigger autophagy and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and LOX-1 may play a critical role in this process.

In order to examine this hypothesis, cultured human THP-1 macrophages exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were applied to study the link between LOX-1, mtDNA damage, autophagy, and NLRP3 inflammasome expression. Our data showed that LPS markedly induced LOX-1 expression, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, autophagy, mtDNA damage, and NLRP3 inflammasome. LOX-1 inhibition with a binding antibody or siRNA inhibited ROS generation, autophagy and mtDNA damage, and a decreased expression of NLRP3 inflammasome. To study the LOX-1-NLRP3 inflammasome signalling, we performed studies using ROS inhibitors and an autophagy inducer, and found that both decreased the expression of NLRP3. On the other hand, autophagy inhibitor enhanced the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome. Knockdown of DNase II inhibited autophagy and NLRP3 inflammasome, providing further support for our hypothesis. Finally, we confirmed the relationship between LOX-1, ROS, mtDNA damage, autophagy, and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in primary macrophages.

This study based on THP-1 macrophages and primary macrophages indicates that LOX-1-mediated autophagy and mtDNA damage play an essential role in NLRP3 inflammasome activation in inflammatory disease states.