Activation of NLRP3 Inflammasome via Drp1 Overexpression in Kupffer Cells Aggravates Ischemia-reperfusion Injury in Hepatic Steatosis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Donors with fatty livers are considered to address the shortage of livers for transplantation, but those livers are particularly sensitive to ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), and an increased incidence of graft failure is observed. Kupffer cells account for 20–35% of liver nonparenchymal cells, and have been shown to participate in the process of IRI and inflammatory reactions of hepatic steatosis. NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain-associated protein 3 (NLRP3) is an intracellular sensor activated by Kupffer cells to promote generation and participates in IRI. Dynamics-associated protein 1 (Drp1) is one of the main proteins regulating mitochondrial division and exacerbates IRI by affecting mitochondrial dynamics. The mechanism of interaction of Kupffer cells with Drp1 and NLRP3 to aggravate IRI has not been clarified. METHODS: A mouse model of hepatic steatosis was established by feeding the mice with a high-fat diet. In vitro experiments were performed using AML12 normal mouse liver cells and RAW264.7 mononuclear macrophage cells cultured in medium with palmitate and oleic acid. Western blotting and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining were used to detect the expression of NLRPP3 and Drp1 in IRI in the control and high-fat diet groups. The expression of F4/80+ cells during IRI in hepatic steatosis was verified by IHC staining, and the role of NLRPP3 and Drp1 in Kupffer-cell mediated IRI was investigated by targeting Drp-1 inhibition. RESULTS: Drp1 and NLRP3 expression was increased during IRI in hepatic steatosis, and the expression of Drp1 and NLRP3 were decreased after the elimination of Kupffer cells. That indicated Kupffer cells were involved in the process of IRI in hepatic steatosis through the action of Drp1 and NLRP3. After Drp1 inhibition, liver function was restored and NLRP3 expression level was reduced. CONCLUSIONS: Kupffer cells aggravated IRI in hepatic steatosis via NLRP3 and Drp1. Drp1 inhibitors might be useful as specific therapeutics to alleviate IRI in hepatic steatosis and may have promise in case of liver donor shortage.