NLRP3 inflammasome mediates angiotensin II-induced islet β cell apoptosis

Elevation of angiotensin II (Ang II) in the serum of patients with diabetes is known to promote apoptosis of islet β cells, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to explore the role of Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in Ang II-induced apoptosis of pancreatic islet β cells and investigate the possible underlying mechanism. The effect of Ang II on INS-1 cell (a rat insulinoma cell line) viability was detected by CCK-8 method. The cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and western blot analysis. The effect of Ang II on the expressions of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) and NLRP3 protein was detected by western blot analysis. The expression of TXNIP mRNA was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that Ang II was able to reduce INS-1 cell viability and promote apoptosis and at the same time up-regulate the expressions of TXNIP and NLRP3 components. Ang II-induced apoptosis was inhibited after administration of the NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950, and TXNIP silencing could reduce the NLRP3 expression and apoptosis, while both effects of Ang II on TXNIP-NLRP3 and its apoptosis-inducing effect were inhibited by angiotensin II type I receptor (AT1R) blocker Telmisartan. Our results demonstrated that the TXNIP-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway mediated Ang II-induced INS-1 cell apoptosis and might hopefully become a novel target for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.