GW0742 activates miR‐17‐5p and inhibits TXNIP/NLRP3‐mediated inflammation after hypoxic‐ischaemic injury in rats and in PC12 cells

This study aimed to investigate the effects of PPAR‐β/δ receptor agonist GW0742 on neuroinflammation in a rat model of hypoxia‐ischaemia (HI) and in PC12 cells in OGD model. HI was induced by ligating the common carotid artery and inducing hypoxia for 150 minutes. Immunofluorescence was used for quantification of microglia activation and for determining cellular localization of PPAR‐β/δ. Expression of proteins was measured by Western blot. Activation of miR‐17‐5p by GW0742 was assessed in PC12 cells by Dual‐Luciferase Reporter Gene Assay. The endogenous expression of TXNIP, NLRP3, cleaved caspase‐1 and IL‐1β was increased after HI. GW0742 treatment significantly reduced the number of activated pro‐inflammatory microglia in ipsilateral hemisphere after HI. Mechanistically, GW0742 significantly decreased the expression of TXNIP, NLRP3, IL‐6 and TNF‐α. Either PPAR‐β/δ antagonist GSK3787, miR‐17‐5p inhibitor, or TXNIP CRISPR activation abolished the anti‐inflammatory effects of GW0742. Activation of PPAR‐β/δ by GW0742 activated miR‐17‐5p expression in PC12 cells and increased cell viability after OGD, which was accompanied by decreased expression of TXNIP and reduced secretion of IL‐1β and TNF‐α. In conclusion, GW0742 may be a promising neurotherapeutic for the management of HI patients.