SENP3 protects hepatocyte from pyroptosis during acute liver injury through deSUMOylation of HNRNPL

Protein SUMOylation is crucial in both physiological and pathological contexts, but its role in acute liver injury (ALI) is poorly understood. We found that SENP3, a SUMO2/3 protease, rapidly accumulates in hepatocytes around the pericentral vein zone within 2 h of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver injury in mice. Knockout of SENP3 in hepatocytes worsens liver damage and promotes pyroptosis. Mechanistically, SENP3 interacts with the RNA-binding protein HNRNPL, facilitating its deSUMOylation and proteasomal degradation. This reduction of HNRNPL decreases nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (Neat1) levels, impairing its ability to activate caspase-1 and induce pyroptosis. Moreover, in patients with drug-induced ALI, the levels of both SENP3 and HNRNPL are strongly correlated with pyroptosis. In conclusion, the SENP3-HNRNPL-Neat1 axis functions as a rapid stress sensor to mitigate excessive pyroptosis during ALI, making SENP3 and HNRNPL promising therapeutic targets.