Excess phosphate promotes SARS‑CoV‑2 N protein‑induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation via the SCAP‑SREBP2 signaling pathway

Hyperphosphatemia or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) infection can promote cardiovascular adverse events in patients with chronic kidney disease. Hyperphosphatemia is associated with elevated inflammation and sterol regulatory element binding protein 2 (SREBP2) activation, but the underlying mechanisms in SARS‑CoV‑2 that are related to cardiovascular disease remain unclear. The present study aimed to elucidate the role of excess inorganic phosphate (PI) in SARS‑CoV‑2 N protein‑induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation and the underlying mechanisms in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The expression levels of SARS‑CoV‑2 N protein, SREBP cleavage‑activating protein (SCAP), mature N‑terminal SREBP2, NLRP3, procaspase‑1, cleaved caspase‑1, IL‑1β and IL‑18 were examined by western blotting. The expression levels of SREBP2, HMG‑CoA reductase, HMGCS1, low density lipoprotein receptor, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), SREBP1c, fatty acid synthase, stearyl coenzyme A desaturase 1, acetyl‑CoA carboxylase α and ATP‑citrate lyase were determined by reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR. The translocation of SCAP or NLRP3 from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi was detected by confocal microscopy. The results showed that excess PI promoted SCAP‑SREBP and NLRP3 complex translocation to the Golgi, potentially leading to NLRP3 inflammasome activation and lipogenic gene expression. Furthermore, PI amplified SARS‑CoV‑2 N protein‑induced inflammation via the SCAP‑SREBP pathway, which facilitates NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and activation. Inhibition of phosphate uptake with phosphonoformate sodium alleviated NLRP3 inflammasome activation and reduced SREBP‑mediated lipogenic gene expression in VSMCs stimulated with PI and with SARS‑CoV‑2 N protein overexpression. Inhibition of SREBP2 or small interfering RNA‑induced silencing of SREBP2 effectively suppressed the effect of PI and SARS‑CoV‑2 N protein on NLRP3 inflammasome activation and lipogenic gene expression. In conclusion, the present study identified that PI amplified SARS‑CoV‑2 N protein‑induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation and lipogenic gene expression via the SCAP‑SREBP signaling pathway.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2024

Erschienen:

2024

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:29

Enthalten in:

Molecular medicine reports - 29(2024), 3 vom: 02. Jan.

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Liu, Mi-Hua [VerfasserIn]
Lin, Xiao-Long [VerfasserIn]
Xiao, Le-Le [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

EC 3.4.21.-
Excess phosphate
Inflammasome
Inflammasomes
Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
Journal Article
Membrane Proteins
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
NLRP3
PCSK9 protein, human
Phosphates
Proprotein Convertase 9
SREBP cleavage-activating protein
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 N protein
Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1
Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 2
Sterol regulatory element binding protein cleavage‑activating protein
Vascular smooth muscle cell

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 29.01.2024

Date Revised 29.01.2024

published: Print-Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.3892/mmr.2024.13173

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM367655438