Role of NLRP3 and CARD8 in the regulation of TNF-α induced IL-1β release in vascular smooth muscle cells

Interleukin (IL)-1β is known to be activated by the inflammasome. Inflammasome activities depend on a plethora of moieties including NLRP3 and CARD8, which have been reported to be associated with several inflammatory diseases. Aortic smooth muscle cells (AOSMCs) were transfected with siRNA targeting the NLRP3 and CARD8 genes, followed by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) treatment. We found that TNF-α induces IL-1β, IL-1Ra and NLRP3 genes but not CARD8. Silencing of the NLRP3 gene significantly decreased IL-1β expression and release, the IL-1Ra expression showed a borderline non-significant increment, while CARD8 knockdown did not affect the IL-1β and IL-1Ra mRNA expression or IL-1β protein release. Our results suggest that mainly NLRP3 plays a role in the regulation of IL-1β expression and release in AOSMC and could be a potential future target for the treatment of atherosclerosis and other inflammatory diseases.