MCC950 ameliorates ventricular arrhythmia vulnerability induced by heart failure

MCC950, a specific NACHT, LRR, and PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inhibitor, has been reported to play a role in various cardiovascular diseases. However, its role in heart failure (HF)-induced ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) remains unclear. Hence, the present study aimed to clarify the role and underlying mechanisms of MCC950 in HF-induced VAs. Male C57BL/6 mice were induced with HF via transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Histological analysis, echocardiography, electrophysiological investigation, and western blot analysis were conducted to evaluate VA vulnerability induced by TAC and the potential mechanisms underlying the effects. MCC950 markedly improved cardiac function and decreased pulmonary edema induced by HF. Moreover, MCC950 also decreased VA vulnerability, as shown by the shortened QTc duration and action potential duration 90 (APD(90)), reduced APD alternans threshold, and decreased VA induction rate. Furthermore, MCC950 treatment significantly reversed TAC-induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. In addition, MCC950 administration increased the protein levels of ion channels (Kv4.2, KChIP2, and Cav1.2). Mechanistically, the above changes induced by MCC950 were due to the inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome. As a specific NLRP3 inhibitor, MCC950 significantly decreased HF-induced VA vulnerability by reversing cardiac structural remodeling and electrical remodeling, and the mechanism through which MCC950 exhibited this effect was inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation.