Inhibition of Dectin-1 Alleviates Neuroinflammatory Injury by Attenuating NLRP3 Inflammasome-Mediated Pyroptosis After Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Mice: Preliminary Study Results

BACKGROUND: Neuroinflammation plays an important role following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis contributes to the mechanism of neuroinflammation. It has been reported that dendritic cell-associated C-type lectin-1 (Dectin-1) activation triggers inflammation in neurological diseases. However, the role of Dectin-1 on NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis after ICH remains unclear. Here, we aimed to explore the effect of Dectin-1 on NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis and neuroinflammation after ICH. METHODS: Adult male C57BL/6 mice were used to establish the ICH model. Laminarin, an inhibitor of Dectin-1, was administered for intervention. Expression of Dectin-1 was evaluated by Western blot and immunofluorescence. Brain water content and neurobehavioral function were tested to assess brain edema and neurological performance. Western blot was conducted to evaluate the level of GSDMD-N. ELISA kits were used to measure the levels of IL-1β and IL-18. qRT–PCR and Western blot were performed to evaluate the expressions of NLRP3 inflammasome, IL-1β, and IL-18. RESULTS: The expression of Dectin-1 increased following ICH, and Dectin-1 was expressed on microglia. In addition, inhibition of Dectin-1 by laminarin decreased brain edema and neurological impairment after ICH. Moreover, inhibition of Dectin-1 decreased the expression of pyroptosis-related protein, GSDMD-N, and inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-18). Mechanistically, Dectin-1 blockade inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation, thereby alleviating neuroinflammatory injury by attenuating NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis both in vivo and in vitro. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that the inhibition of Dectin-1 alleviates neuroinflammation by attenuating NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis after ICH.