Hypidone hydrochloride (YL-0919) protects mice from meningitis via Sigma1R-STAT1-NLRP3-GSDMD pathway

A growing number of studies have found that antidepressants have anti-inflammatory effects while protecting nerves. Hypidone hydrochloride (YL-0919) is a novel highly selective 5-HT reuptake blocker. Our previous studies have demonstrated that YL-0919 exerts notable antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like as well as procognitive effects. However, whether YL-0919 can be used to treat inflammatory and infectious diseases remain unknown. In this study, we aimed to verify the anti-inflammatory effect of YL-0919 on bacterial meningitis and further explore the potential molecular mechanisms.

We performed the experiments on pneumococcal meningitis mice in vivo and S. pneumoniae infected macrophages/microglia in vitro, with or without YL-0919 treatment. Cognitive function was evaluated by open-field task, Morris water maze test, and novel object recognition test. Histopathological staining and immunofluorescence staining were used to detect the pathological damage of meningitis and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in microglia/macrophages. The expression of the STAT1/NLRP3/GSDMD signal pathway was measured by western blots. Proinflammatory cytokines associated with pyroptosis were detected by ELISA.

YL-0919 protected mice from fatal pneumococcal meningitis, characterized by attenuated cytokine storms, decreased bacterial loads, improved neuroethology, and reduced mortality. NLRP3 plays a key role in the regulation of inflammation. When the underlying mechanisms were investigated, we found that YL-0919 inhibited the activation of NLRP3 via STAT1, and thus inhibited macrophages/microglia pyroptosis, resulting in downregulation of proinflammatory cytokines. In addition, Sigma1R was identified as a pivotal receptor that can be engaged by YL-0919 to inhibit NLRP3 activation and pyroptosis pathway in microglia/macrophages.

These results provide new insights into the mechanisms of inflammation regulation mediated by the antidepressant YL-0919. Moreover, targeting the STAT1/NLRP3 pyroptosis pathway is a promising strategy for the treatment of infectious diseases like bacterial meningitis.