Nuclear IL-1α Triggers Pyroptosis in Porcine Intramuscular Preadipocytes

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Molecular Biology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Intramuscular fat (IMF) content is critical for pork quality and flavor.
• Adipose progenitor cells in pigs express inflammatory genes like IL-1α during differentiation.
• The nuclear function of IL-1α, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the nuclear role of IL-1α in porcine intramuscular adipocytes.
• To elucidate the molecular pathway by which nuclear IL-1α affects adipocytes.
• To provide insights for improving pork quality through IMF modulation.

Main Methods:

• Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of porcine intramuscular fat.
• Construction of an inactivated nuclear localization sequence (NLS) carrier for IL-1α.
• Analysis of the IRF2-NOCT-ROS pathway in adipocytes.

Main Results:

• Porcine adipose progenitor cells show high expression of inflammatory genes, including IL-1α, during differentiation.
• Nuclear IL-1α was found to promote pyroptosis in porcine intramuscular adipocytes.
• The IRF2-NOCT-ROS pathway mediates the pyroptotic effects of nuclear IL-1α.

Conclusions:

• Nuclear IL-1α plays a novel role in regulating pyroptosis in porcine adipocytes.
• Understanding this pathway can lead to strategies for enhancing IMF content.
• This research contributes to improving overall pork quality and flavor.