[Expression of NLRP3 inflammasome in BALB/c mice with imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation and therapeutic effect of mustard seed (Sinapis Alba Linn)].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation in mice and the therapeutic effects of mustard seed (Sinapis Alba Linn).


METHODS
Thirty BALB/c mice were randomized equally into blank control group (fed with normal forage and treated with vehicle), model group (fed with normal forage and treated with 5% imiquimod cream), and experimental group (fed with 5% mustard seed forage and treated with 5% imiquimod cream). RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, and caspase-11. Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine the expression and distribution of ASC and caspase-1. ELISA was used to test the serum levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18.


RESULTS
Compared with the blank control group, the mice with imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation showed significantly increased NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, and caspase-11 mRNA expressions, ASC and caspase-1 protein expressions , and serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18 (P<0.05). These changes were obviously attenuated by feeding the mice with mustard seed.


CONCLUSIONS
NLRP3 inflammasome is involved in imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation in mice, and mustard seed may suppress the inflammation induced by IL-1β and IL-18 through down-regulating the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome.
Department of Dermatology, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100853, China.E-mail: hujiandr@yahoo.com.cn.
Jian
J
Hu
Runping
R
Yang
Chunmiao
C
Wen
Hengjin
H
Li
Hua
H
Zhao
D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D020170:Caspase 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D000077271:Imiquimod; D058847:Inflammasomes / Q000378:metabolism*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000378:metabolism; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009149:Mustard Plant / Q000737:chemistry*; D000071199:NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry
D000634:Aminoquinolines; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D058847:Inflammasomes; D020382:Interleukin-18; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D000071199:NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein; C492716:Nlrp3 protein, mouse; D020170:Caspase 1; D000077271:Imiquimod