Enhancing Nix‐dependent mitophagy relieves AKI by restricting TREM ‐1‐mediated hyperactivation of inflammasome in platelets

Abstract Platelets are highly involved in inflammation and organ injury under pathological conditions. The mitophagy in platelets may restrict hyperactivation of the inflammasome and relieve acute kidney injury (AKI). Cecal ligation puncture (CLP)/LPS‐induced AKI Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells ( TREM‐1) ‐knockout mice models were established. Additionally, septic patients with AKI were also included. TREM‐1 expression in platelets and inflammasome activation were examined. Platelet transfer assays were performed to investigate the contribution of platelet TREM‐1 to renal injury. Mitophagy was evaluated in the context of inflammation. BNIP3L/Nix knockout mice were used to examine the relationship between platelet mitophagy and inflammatory activation. The results showed that the level of TREM‐1 was increased and the platelet inflammasome was hyperactivated in CLP mice and septic patients, and TREM‐1 activated platelet inflammasomes. TREM‐1 deletion significantly abrogated hyperactivation of the platelet inflammasome and dramatically reduced AKI, whereas ablation of the mitophagy receptor BNIP3L/Nix induced the accumulation of damaged mitochondria and hyperactivation of platelet inflammasomes in CLP mice. BNIP3L/Nix controlled platelet inflammasome activation, and an amplification loop of platelet inflammasome activation and dysfunctional mitochondria controlled sepsis‐related AKI. Therefore, targeting TREM‐1 and NLRP3/BNIP3L in platelets may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for treating septic AKI.