GSDMD deficiency mitigates intestinal damage via macrophage pyroptosis control in experimental NEC

Yihang Yang1,2,3, Xinyi Yang1,2,3,4, Yue Ma1,3,5

  • 1Department of pediatrics, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 120 Longshan Rd, Chongqing, 401147, People's Republic of China.

Insights

Gasdermin D (GSDMD) drives macrophage pyroptosis in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Inhibiting GSDMD alleviates NEC symptoms and reduces intestinal macrophages, suggesting GSDMD as a therapeutic target for NEC.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) involves heightened inflammatory responses mediated by macrophage inflammasomes.
  • Macrophage pyroptosis, regulated by gasdermin D (GSDMD), is implicated in NEC pathogenesis but its precise role remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the critical role of GSDMD in macrophage pyroptosis during experimental NEC.
  • To explore GSDMD as a potential therapeutic target for NEC.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized GSDMD-deficient mouse models and disulfiram to inhibit GSDMD-mediated pore formation.
  • Analyzed macrophage pyroptosis, numbers, polarization (M1/M2), and function (antibacterial and phagocytic) in experimental NEC.
  • Correlated GSDMD expression with macrophage pyroptosis in infant NEC ileum tissue.

Main Results:

  • Significant correlation found between GSDMD and macrophage pyroptosis in infant NEC ileum.
  • GSDMD deficiency or inhibition significantly alleviated NEC symptoms in mouse pups.
  • Reduced intestinal macrophage presence and a shift away from M1 polarization observed in GSDMD-deficient models.
  • GSDMD inhibition enhanced macrophage antibacterial activity without affecting zymosan phagocytosis.

Conclusions:

  • GSDMD is essential for regulating macrophage inflammasome responses in NEC.
  • Targeting GSDMD presents a promising therapeutic strategy for necrotizing enterocolitis.
  • Further research into GSDMD's role could lead to novel NEC treatments.