NLRP1 promotes pyroptosis in endometriosis through the NF-κB signaling pathway

Endometriosis is a prevalent gynecological disorder characterized by chronic inflammation. Pyroptosis, a type of programmed proinflammatory cell death, plays a crucial role in various inflammatory diseases. However, its specific mechanism in endometriosis remains unclear. This study integrated transcriptome data of patients with endometriosis from the GEO database with a pyroptosis-related gene set to identify core pyroptosis markers associated with endometriosis. Bioinformatics methods were employed to analyze the expression profiles and diagnostic values of these genes. The expression of these genes was validated in clinical specimens using qRT-PCR. The specific role of NLRP1 in endometriosis was subsequently explored using CCK-8, wound healing, Transwell, qRT-PCR and Western blot assays on cell lines. We identified eight pyroptosis markers closely related to endometriosis, among which the expression of NLRP1, PRKACA, and IL-6 were significantly upregulated in patients with endometriosis. The expression patterns of these genes were also confirmed in clinical specimens and cell lines. The results of functional experiments indicated that NLRP1 knockdown inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of 12Z cells. Mechanistic studies revealed that downregulating NLRP1 expression reduced the expression of key molecules in the NF-κB signaling pathway and downstream caspase-1, GSDMD-N. This suggests that NLRP1 promotes pyroptosis by activating the NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby driving the progression of endometriosis. This study reveals a novel mechanism through which NLRP1 activates pyroptosis through the NF-κB signaling pathway and promotes the progression of endometriosis. NLRP1 may serve as a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for endometriosis.