Placental mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate NLRP3 inflammasome induced ovarian insufficiency by modulating macrophage M2 polarization

Abstract

Background: Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a common clinical problem but there are currently no effective therapies. Pyroptosis induced by the NLRP3 inflammasome is considered a possible mechanism of POI. Placental mesenchymal stem cells(PMSCs) have excellent immunomodulatory potential and offer a promising method for treating POI. Methods: Female Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into four treatment groups: control (no POI), POI with no PMSCs, POI with PMSCs transplant, and POI with hormones (estrogen+progesterone) as positive control. POI was induced by exposure to 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD) for 15 days. After four weeks, all animals were euthanized and examined for pathology. Hormone levels were measured and ovarian function was evaluated in relation to the estrous cycle. Levels of NLRP3 inflammasome pathway proteins were determined by immunohistochemistry and western blot. Results: VCD significantly damaged rat follicles at different estrous stages. Injection of human PMSCs improved ovarian function and reproductive ability of POI rats compared to the sham and hormone groups. Our data also showed that PMSCs could remarkably suppress cell pyroptosis via downregulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18 compared to the other two groups. The human PMSCs increased the expression of IL-4 and IL-10 and decreased pro-inflammatory factors by phenotypic changes in macrophages. Conclusions: Our findings revealed a novel mechanism of follicular dysfunction and ovarian fibrosis via activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome followed by secretion of pro-inflammatory factors. Transplantation of PMSCs into POI rats suppressed pro-inflammatory factor production, NLRP3 inflammasome formation and pyroptosis, and improved ovarian function.

Exploratory study on the mechanism of necrotic effect of nourishing cells in the context of genital tract infection in premature rupture of membranes

“…This condition not only compromises the integrity of the membranes but also exerts an impact on the body’s immune system. [23] In the context of genital tract infection, inflammation can trigger the production of various protein molecules that actively participate in the immune mechanisms of placental membrane tissues. [24] According to a prior study, [25] IL-1 has been identified as an inducer of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and MMPs play a pivotal role in the metabolism of extracellular matrix proteins within fetal membrane tissues.…”