Beta-amyloid activates NLRP3 inflammasome via TLR4 in mouse microglia

Beta-amyloid(A beta)-induced inflammation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Nod-like receptor nucleotide-binding domain leucine rich repeat containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is involved in the A beta-induced inflammation. However, the mechanisms by which extracellular A beta activates cytoplasmic NLRP3 inflammasome are poorly understood. Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) acts as a sensor of A beta and performs a key role in neuroinflammation. TLR4 is involved in activating the NLRP3 inflammasome in several diseases. In this study, the interaction between TLR4 and NLRP3 inflammasome in A beta(1-42)-induced neuroinflammation was investigated. BV-2 microglia and primary microglia were primed with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and then pretreated with TLR4 inhibitor CLI-095, followed by stimulation with A beta(1-42). The protein expression of NLRP3, the adaptor protein apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), and caspase-1 p 10 was detected by western blotting and immunostaining. The mRNA expression of inflammatory factors was measured by real-time PCR. The protein level of pro IL-1 beta and IL-1 beta was examined by ELISA. Activated microglia were examined by immunofluorescence staining for ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule-1 (Iba-1). Conditioned medium of BV-2 cells was collected to challenge HT-22 neurons. Cell viability was assessed with MTT assay. Assessment of HT-22 cell apoptosis was performed by Annexin V/PI staining and western blotting to detect the protein level of cleaved caspase 3. The results showed that A beta(1-42) activated and up-regulated the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome in BV-2 microglia, as indicated by increased activation of caspase-1 and secretion of IL-1 beta. Pharmacological inhibition of TLR4 by CLI-095 abolished A beta(1-42)-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation, which curbed the development of inflammation and exerted protective effect on HT-22 neurons. Furthermore, the inhibitory effects of CLI-095 on A beta(1-42)-induced inflammation were reversed by NLRP3 activator ATP. Overall, our findings suggested TLR4 mediated A beta(1-42)-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation in mouse microglia. TLR4/NLRP3 pathway plays a critical role in A beta(1-42)-induced neuroinflammation.