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Updated: Jan 10, 2026
Measuring Bacterial Load and Immune Responses in Mice Infected with Listeria monocytogenes
Published on: August 9, 2011
Baicalin inhibits Listeria monocytogenes-induced embryonic loss through the JNK/NEK7-NLRP3/GSDMD pathway
Enhua Zhang1, Jing Chen1, Wen Liu1
1School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071001, China.
Background:
Listeria monocytogenes (LM) infections can cause embryo loss by activating the Nod-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome at the maternal-fetal interface. Baicalin (BA), the primary active component of Scutellaria baicalensis, has been confirmed to play a critical role in fetal preservation. Nevertheless, whether BA can inhibit LM-induced embryonic loss and the potential molecular mechanism remain elusive.
Methods:
In vivo, pregnant BALB/c mice were administered with BA on gestational day (GD) 0.5 for 6 consecutive days and infected with LM on GD 6.5. Pregnancy outcomes were analyzed and NLRP3 inflammasome-associated protein and pyroptosis related indexes were measured on GD 9.5. In vitro, macrophages were treated with BA and (or) LM. NLRP3 activation, gasdermin D (GSDMD) cleavage, NIMA-related kinase 7 (NEK7)-NLRP3 binding and JNK phosphorylation were tested in cells.
Results:
BA significantly reduced LM-induced mouse embryo loss, accompanied by the decrease of NLRP3 and ASC protein expression, caspase-1 activation, GSDMD cleavage, IL-1β release and NEK7-NLRP3 interactions in uteri. In vitro experiments showed that BA alleviated LM-induced NLRP3 inflammasome-associated protein expressions, NEK7-NLRP3 interactions and JNK phosphorylation in macrophages. Interestingly, NEK7 expression levels remained unchanged in all experimental groups. Additionally, BA-mediated modulation of JNK phosphorylation could alter the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome-associated proteins and NEK7-NLRP3 interactions.
Conclusion:
Our data indicated that JNK/NEK7-NLRP3/GSDMD signaling pathway plays a key role in BA-mediated alleviation of LM-induced embryonic loss, which provided a novel perspective for combating LM-associated infectious diseases.
Insights
Baicalin (BA) protects against Listeria monocytogenes (LM)-induced embryo loss by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. This study reveals BA
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Reproductive Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Listeria monocytogenes (LM) infection can lead to embryo loss by activating the NLRP3 inflammasome at the maternal-fetal interface.
- Baicalin (BA), derived from Scutellaria baicalensis, is known for its fetal-preserving properties.
- The precise mechanism by which BA might counteract LM-induced embryonic loss remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether baicalin (BA) can inhibit Listeria monocytogenes (LM)-induced embryonic loss.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying BA's potential protective effects against LM infection during pregnancy.
Main Methods:
- In vivo studies involved administering BA to pregnant mice before LM infection and assessing pregnancy outcomes and NLRP3 inflammasome markers.
- In vitro studies treated macrophages with BA and LM to analyze NLRP3 activation, gasdermin D (GSDMD) cleavage, NEK7-NLRP3 binding, and JNK phosphorylation.
- Key molecular targets including NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1β, NEK7, and JNK were quantified.
Main Results:
- BA significantly reduced LM-induced embryo loss in mice, correlating with decreased NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 activation, GSDMD cleavage, IL-1β release, and NEK7-NLRP3 interactions.
- In vitro, BA suppressed LM-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation, NEK7-NLRP3 interactions, and JNK phosphorylation in macrophages, while NEK7 expression remained constant.
- BA's modulation of JNK phosphorylation was found to influence NLRP3 inflammasome-associated protein expression and NEK7-NLRP3 interactions.
Conclusions:
- The JNK/NEK7-NLRP3/GSDMD signaling pathway is crucial for baicalin's protective effect against Listeria monocytogenes-induced embryonic loss.
- This study provides a novel mechanistic insight into combating LM-associated infectious diseases during pregnancy.
- Baicalin emerges as a potential therapeutic agent for preventing embryo loss caused by LM infections.
