PCB118 Induces Inflammation of Islet Beta Cells via Activating ROS-NLRP3 Inflammasome Signaling

Abstract

Background. Diabetes mellitus is a clinical syndrome caused by genetic and environmental factors. Growing evidence suggests that exposure to environmental endocrine disruptors and activation of NLRP3 inflammasome signaling play a vital role in diabetes. However, it is unclear how PCB118, a common environmental endocrine disruptor, contributes to the incidence of diabetes, and its specific mechanism of action is unknown. In this study, we explored whether ROS-induced NLRP3 inflammasome priming and activation were related to PCB118 exposure in mouse islet β-TC-6 cells and the mechanisms of diabetes. Methods. Mouse islet β-TC-6 cells were cultured with PCB118 as a stimulating factor and ROS inhibitor N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) as an intervention. Cellular toxicity due to PCB118 was detected using the Cell Counting Kit-8; ROS was measured using DCFH-DA; the expressions of NLRP3, procaspase-1, caspase-1, pro-IL-1β, and IL-1β protein were detected by western blot; and IL-6, IL-18, and C-C chemokine ligand 2 (CCL-2) were measured by ELISA. Results. PCB118 caused significant toxicity to the cells when the stimulation concentration was equal to or greater than 80 nmol/L at 72 hours ( p < 0.05 ) and increased the levels of ROS, NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and CCL-2 ( p < 0.05 ); the expressions of procaspase-1 and pro-IL-1β were downregulated in a dose-dependent manner after PCB118 exposure ( p < 0.05 ), which was prevented by pretreatment with NAC ( p < 0.05 ). Conclusions. PCB118 can activate NLRP3 inflammasome signaling in islet beta cells via the oxidative stress pathway and cause inflammation in islet beta cells. It suggests that environmental endocrine disruptors play an important role in the inflammation of islet beta cells and may contribute to the development of diabetes through NLRP3 inflammatory signaling.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, and Metabolic Repercussions: The Vicious Cycle and Its Interplay with Inflammation

“…In a mouse model, it was found that NLRP3i in pancreatic β cells could be activated by the environmental endocrine disruptor PCB118 via the oxidative stress pathway, leading to pancreatic β-cell inflammation. Increased levels of CCL-2, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and caspase-1 were also observed in pancreatic β cells after PCB118 exposure [120]. It was observed that among diabetic subjects, a decrease in this inflammasome activity leads to an improvement in glycemic-related parameters and even prevents DM2 development by having protective effects on pancreatic β cells [121,122].…”

Effect of activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis on recurrence of alcoholic acute pancreatitis, and the possible underlying mechanism

“…Inflammatory cell infiltration was scored 0 -1 point if perivascular leukocyte count was 0; 1 point for perivascular leukocyte count of 2 -10; 2 points for perivascular leukocyte counts of 11 -20; 3 points for perivascular leukocyte counts of 21 -30, and 4 points for perivascular leukocyte counts in excess of 30 [11].…”