Caspase-1 involves in bilirubin-induced injury of cultured rat cortical neurons

Bilirubin encephalopathy, the most serious complication of hyperbilirubinemia during the neonatal period, with high mortality and morbidity, often causes irreversible neurological damage. Currently, caspase-1, a member of the cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease caspase family, is regarded as a key mediator of inflammatory processes, attracting widespread attention. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether caspase-1 is involved in bilirubin-induced neuronal injury.

VX-765, a highly potent and selective inhibitor of caspase-1, was used to investigate the effects of unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) on rat cortical neurons, including cell viability, morphological changes in the cell membrane, and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation.

Neurons treated with UCB showed increased caspase-1 activity without the secretion of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18, and caspase-1 was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with VX-765. The cell viability of the VX-765-pretreated neurons was improved, and cell membrane rupture was prevented, as detected by lactate dehydrogenase release and ethidium bromide uptake. Moreover, NF-κB activation by UCB exposure, was attenuated by VX-765 pretreatment.

Bilirubin-induced neuronal injury involves the activation of caspase-1 and NF-κB, leading to membrane leakage, independently of IL-1β and IL-18.