HDL inhibits pancreatic acinar cell NLRP3 inflammasome activation and protect against acinar cell pyroptosis in acute pancreatitis

Abstract

Background and purpose: Recent clinical studies have shown that serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels are correlated with acute pancreatitis (AP) severity. We aimed to investigate the role of HDL in pancreatic necrosis in AP.

Experimental approach: ApoA-I is the main constitution and function component of HDL. The roles of healthy human-derived HDL and apoA-I mimic peptide D4F were demonstrated in AP models in vivo and in vitro. Constitutive Apoa1 genetic inhibition on AP severity, especially pancreatic necrosis was assessed in both caerulein and sodium taurocholate induced mouse AP models. In addition, constitutive (Casp1^-/-) and acinar cell conditional (Pdx1^CreNlrp3^Δ/Δ and Pdx1^CreGsdmd^Δ/Δ) mice were used to explore the effects of HDL on acinar cell pyroptosis in AP.

Key results: Apoa1 knockout dramatically aggravated pancreatic necrosis. Human-derived HDL protected against acinar cell death in vivo and in vitro. We found that mimic peptide D4F also protected against AP very well. Constitutive Casp1 or acinar cell-conditional Nlrp3 and Gsdmd genetic inhibition could counteract the protective effects of HDL, implying HDL may exert beneficial effects on AP through inhibiting acinar cell pyroptosis.

Conclusion and implications: This work demonstrates the protective role of HDL and apoA-I in AP pathology, potentially driven by the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome signaling and acinar cell pyroptosis. Mimic peptides have promise as specific therapies for AP.

Keywords: Acinar cell pyroptosis; Acute pancreatitis; High density lipoprotein; NLRP3 inflammasome; Pancreatic necrosis.