Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2025
Organotypic Retinal Explant Cultures from Macaque Monkey
Published on: August 24, 2022
NDRG2 Promotes Lens Epithelial Cells Senescence via NLRP3/Caspase1-Mediated Pyroptosis
1The Second Department of Ophthalmology, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Building 20, East District, Yunhe New Town, Cangzhou, 061000, Hebei Province, China. Zhl93760265LM@163.com.
Object:
This study aims to investigate the molecular mechanism of NDRG2 (N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2) in the cell senescence of lens endothelial cells.
Methods:
Lens endothelial cells (SRA01/04) were irradiated with UVB at different times. Cell viability was measured by CCK-8 kit and cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry. Cell senescence was detected using SA-β-gal staining. Western blot was utilized to detect the expressions of p53, p21 and NDRG2. TUNEL staining and flow cytometry were used to detect apoptosis and pyroptosis.
Results:
UVB-irradiation significantly induces cell senescence and the expression of NDRG2, p53 and p21 in SRA01/04 cells was up-regulated. Down-regulation of NDRG2 inhibited UVB-induced cell senescence, significantly reversed pyroptosis and promoted cell proliferation. UVB-induced pyroptosis is closely related to caspase-1/NLRP3 axis.
Conclusion:
Our study confirmed downregulation of NDRG2 significantly inhibited UVB radiation-induced cell senescence by regulating caspase-1/NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis.
Insights
Downregulating N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) inhibits UVB-induced cell senescence and pyroptosis in lens endothelial cells by affecting the caspase-1/NLRP3 pathway.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Mechanisms
Background:
- Lens endothelial cells are crucial for maintaining ocular health.
- Cellular senescence and pyroptosis contribute to age-related eye conditions.
- Understanding the molecular regulators of these processes is vital.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) in UVB-induced cell senescence.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying NDRG2's function in lens endothelial cells.
Main Methods:
- Lens endothelial cells (SRA01/04) were exposed to UVB radiation.
- Assessed cell viability (CCK-8), cell cycle (flow cytometry), and senescence (SA-β-gal).
- Analyzed protein expression (Western blot) and apoptosis/pyroptosis (TUNEL, flow cytometry).
Main Results:
- UVB irradiation induced cell senescence and upregulated NDRG2, p53, and p21.
- NDRG2 downregulation reduced UVB-induced senescence, reversed pyroptosis, and enhanced proliferation.
- UVB-induced pyroptosis involves the caspase-1/NLRP3 inflammasome axis.
Conclusions:
- NDRG2 downregulation significantly mitigates UVB-induced cell senescence in lens endothelial cells.
- The protective effect is mediated through the regulation of caspase-1/NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis.
