Nod-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome activation by Escherichia coli RNA induces transforming growth factor beta 1 secretion in hepatic stellate cells

Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome has been implicated in alcoholic liver disease. Chronic alcohol consumption enhances gut permeability and causes microbial translocation. The present study explored the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by Escherichia coli RNA in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and the potential role of NLRP3 inflammasome in hepatic fibrosis. E. coli RNA transfection induced HSC-T6 cells to secrete and express mature interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), which was abolished by NLRP3 siRNA pretreatment. In addition, E. coli RNA transfection enhanced caspase-1 expression, whereas reduced caspase-1 precursor (pro-caspase-1) expression. E. coli RNA-stimulated transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) overproduction in HSC-T6 cells, which was blocked by recombinant IL-1 receptor antagonist (rIL-1Ra) or nuclear factor κB inhibitor BAY 11-7082. Furthermore, E. coli RNA-induced overexpression of pro-fibrogenic factors was suppressed by rIL-1Ra or TGF-β receptor inhibitor A83-01. These results demonstrate that E. coli RNA can stimulate NLRP3 inflammasome activation, which leads to excessive production of pro-fibrogenic factors, suggesting that NLRP3 inflammasome activation in HSCs may play a role in hepatic fibrosis.