Esculetin inhibits the pyroptosis of microvascular endothelial cells through NF-κB /NLRP3 signaling pathway

The effect of Esculetin on pyroptosis and its possible mechanism in endothelium were explored. 10 μg/mL LPS and 0.5 mM ATP were used to stimulate the rat intestinal microvascular endothelial cells. Then add different concentrations of Esculetin (20μM, 40 μM) to the culture medium containing LPS and ATP culturing for 24 h. The expression of p-NF-κB p65, NF-κB p65, I-κB, p-I-κB, NLRP3 , ASC, caspase-1, and gasdermin-D were detected by Western blot , and the release level of IL-18 and IL-1β were measured by ELISA. The NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 was used at the concentration of 10 μM for 4 h to disentangle the potential mechanism of the influence of Esculetin on pyroptosis. In our experiments, the expression of gasdermin-d and important proteins of NF-κB and NLRP3 signaling pathways were inhibited by Esculetin. Besides, Esculetin also attenuated the morphological changes like swelling rupture and pores on the membrane caused by pyroptosis thereby protecting cells from being damaged by pyroptosis. Combining with the effect of Esculetin on proteins above and its protective effect on cell morphology, we believe that Esculetin has an anti -pyroptosis effect. The inhibiting pyroptosis effects mentioned above are similar to MCC950, which means the anti -pyroptosis effects of Esculetin are associated with the NLRP3 signaling pathway. In conclusion, Esculetin inhibits the pyroptosis of microvascular endothelial cells through the NF-κB/NLFP3 signaling pathway and is expected to be conducive in treating pyroptosis-related diseases. • Esculetin inhibits the activation of the NLRP3 signaling pathway in RIMVECs. • Esculetin attenuates the pyroptosis in RIMVECs. • The inhibition of Esculetin on pyroptosis in RIMVECs could be accomplished by inhibiting the NLRP3 signaling pathway.