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Current Molecular Medicine

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1566-5240
ISSN (Online): 1875-5666

Research Article

Attenuation of NLRP3 Inflammasome by Cigarette Smoke is Correlated with Decreased Defense Response of Oral Epithelial Cells to Candida albicans

Author(s): Fan Huang, Ruiqi Xie, Ruowei Li, Liu Liu, Maomao Zhao, Qiong Wang, Weida Liu, Pei Ye*, Wenmei Wang* and Xiang Wang*

Volume 24, Issue 6, 2024

Published on: 17 July, 2023

Page: [790 - 800] Pages: 11

DOI: 10.2174/1566524023666230612143038

open access plus

Abstract

Background: It is well recognized that both smoke and Candida infection are crucial risk factors for oral mucosal diseases. The nucleotide-binding domain-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and its downstream effectors, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18, are pivotal to the host defense against Candida and other pathogens.

Methods: The present study was designed to explore the effects of cigarette smoke and C. albicans on the NLRP3 inflammasome and its downstream signal pathway via in vitro cell model. Oral epithelial cells (Leuk-1 cells) were exposed to cigarette smoke extract (CSE) for 3 days and/or challenged with C. albicans.

Results: Microscopically, Leuk-1 cells exerted a defense response to C. albicans by markedly limiting the formation of germ tubes and microcolonies. CSE clearly eliminated the defense response of Leuk-1 cells. Functionally, CSE repressed NLRP3 inflammasome, and IL-1β and IL-18 activation induced by C. albicans in Leuk-1 cells.

Conclusion: Our results suggested that in oral epithelial cells, the NLRP3 inflammasome might be one of the target pathways by which CSE attenuates innate immunity and leads to oral disorders.

Keywords: NLRP3 inflammasome, cigarette smoke, Candida albicans, oral epithelial cells, signal pathway, host defense.


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