Bitongqing Attenuates CIA Rats by Suppressing Macrophage Pyroptosis and Modulating the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD Pathway

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Pharmacology
• Traditional Chinese Medicine

Background:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease causing synovitis and inflammation.
• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) prescription Bitongqing (BTQ) shows clinical efficacy in RA treatment.
• The precise therapeutic mechanisms of BTQ for RA remain under investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the effect of BTQ on macrophage pyroptosis in a rat model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA).
• To provide a theoretical basis for BTQ as a treatment for RA.

Main Methods:

• BTQ components identified using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS).
• Therapeutic effects evaluated in CIA rats via pathohistological staining, immunofluorescence, micro-CT, and Western blotting.
• In vitro studies assessed BTQ's impact on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-induced pyroptosis in RAW264.7 macrophages.

Main Results:

• BTQ reduced joint inflammation, foot swelling, and bone erosion in CIA rats.
• BTQ inhibited interleukin-18 (IL-18) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) production and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in CIA rat synovial tissues.
• In vitro, BTQ attenuated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) secretion and decreased IL-18, IL-1β, and NLRP3 pathway protein expression in macrophages.

Conclusions:

• BTQ demonstrates therapeutic potential in CIA by inhibiting NLRP3-mediated macrophage pyroptosis.
• These findings suggest BTQ as a promising therapeutic strategy for rheumatoid arthritis.