Bay11-7082 attenuates murine lupus nephritis via inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome and NF-κB activation

Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and NLRP3 inflammasome are involved in inflammation and autoimmunity. In vitro data have shown that Bay11-7082 selectively inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activity independent of NF-κB activity. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of Bay11-7082 on murine lupus nephritis (LN) in vivo. Twelve-week-old MRL/lpr mice were treated with either Bay11-7082 (5 mg/kg) or vehicle (DMSO/PBS buffer) by intraperitoneal injection thrice per week for 8 weeks. NLRP3 inflammasome formation and NF-κB activation were measured. Histopathology, immune complex deposits, proteinuria, renal function and production of anti-dsDNA antibody as well as inflammatory markers were evaluated. Bay11-7082 treatment inhibited renal NLRP3 inflammasome formation and NF-κB activation in vivo. Bay11-7082 decreased proteinuria, blood urea nitrogen, resulting in dramatically attenuated renal damage. Bay11-7082-treated mice had decreased serum anti-dsDNA level and less renal immune complex deposition. The IL-1β, TNF-α and chemokine (C-C Motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) levels and infiltration of macrophages as well as the mortality were significantly reduced by Bay11-7082 treatment. This study suggests that dual inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome and NF-κB activation using Bay11-7082 or its analogues may be a promising therapeutic strategy for preventing the progression of LN.