Basal and exercise-induced expression of NLRP3 inflammasome-related components is increased in patients with chronic coronary syndrome
Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2025
Activation and Measurement of NLRP3 Inflammasome Activity Using IL-1β in Human Monocyte-derived Dendritic Cells
Published on: May 22, 2014
Zeid Mahmood1, Maria Bäck2, Per Leanderson3
1Department of Clinical Physiology in Linköping and Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
Background And Aims:
NLRP3 inflammasome is considered a critical actor in the inflammatory process of coronary artery disease. Increased expression of NLRP3 inflammasome components has been reported in patients with acute coronary syndrome, but whether this persists beyond the acute phase is less known. We performed a prospective study to investigate whether basal and/or exercise-induced NLRP3 inflammasome components were elevated in patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS).
Methods:
Patients (n = 81) underwent exercise stress tests twice: 3-4 weeks and 3-6 months after a major coronary event, whereas controls (n = 30) performed it once. Concentrations of interleukin(IL)-18, IL-1Ra and IL-6 were measured before and 30 min after exercise. Genes related to NLRP3 inflammasome and NFκB signaling pathways were measured in blood mononuclear cells before and after exercise. On the first visit, patients were prescribed an exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation program. Physical activity levels were reported on both visits.
Results:
Patients were clinically stable and exhibited increased exercise capacity as well as increased self-reported physical activity between visits. Basal plasma levels of IL-18, as well as exercise-induced levels of IL-18 and IL-1Ra, were higher in patients compared with controls on both visits. Also, basal gene expression of NLRP3 was higher in patients, as were several NFκB-related genes. After exercise, gene expression related to NLRP3 inflammasome activation, in particular P2RX7, was higher in patients on both visits.
Conclusions:
Up to 6 months after a coronary event, patients exhibited an increase in NLRP3 inflammasome-related components that was even more pronounced after acute exercise, compared with controls. The results indicate that a primed NLRP3 inflammasome system is maintained despite clinical stability and best available therapy, highlighting the need to further combat inflammation in patients with CCS.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:19Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
01:27Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
01:20Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...