Journal Article

Gadolinium-based compounds induce NLRP3-dependent IL-1β production and peritoneal inflammation

Bossaller, Lukas, Kay, Jonathan, Vladimer, Gregory I, Schmidt-Lauber, Christian, Gravallese, Ellen M, Abujudeh, Hani H, Christ, Anette, Fitzgerald, Katherine A, Marshak-Rothstein, Ann, Latz, Eicke

2015

Overview

ObjectiveNephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is a progressive fibrosing disorder that may develop in patients with chronic kidney disease after administration of gadolinium (Gd)-based contrast agents (GBCAs). In the setting of impaired renal clearance of GBCAs, Gd deposits in various tissues and fibrosis subsequently develops. However, the precise mechanism by which fibrosis occurs in NSF is incompletely understood. Because other profibrotic agents, such as silica or asbestos, activate the nucleotide-binding oligomerisation domain (NOD)-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and initiate interleukin (IL)-1β release with the subsequent development of fibrosis, we evaluated the effects of GBCAs on inflammasome activation.MethodsBone marrow derived macrophages from C57BL/6, Nlrp3−/− and Asc−/− mice were incubated with three Gd-containing compounds and IL-1β activation and secretion was detected by ELISA and western blot analysis. Inflammasome activation and regulation was investigated in IL-4- and interferon (IFN)γ-polarised macrophages by ELISA, quantitative real time (qRT)-PCR and NanoString nCounter analysis. Furthermore, C57BL/6 and Nlrp3−/−mice were intraperitoneally injected with GBCA and recruitment of inflammatory cells to the peritoneum was analysed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS).ResultsFree Gd and GBCAs activate the NLRP3 inflammasome and induce IL-1β secretion in vitro. Gd-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid also induces the recruitment of neutrophils and inflammatory monocytes to the peritoneum in vivo. Gd activated IL-4-polarised macrophages more effectively than IFNγ-polarised macrophages, which preferentially expressed genes known to downregulate inflammasome activity.ConclusionsThese data suggest that Gd released from GBCAs triggers a NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent inflammatory response that leads to fibrosis in an appropriate clinical setting. The preferential activation of IL-4-differentiated macrophages is consistent with the predominantly fibrotic presentation of NSF.

• Subject: Animals / Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins - genetics / Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins - immunology / CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins / Carrier Proteins - drug effects / Carrier Proteins - genetics / Carrier Proteins - immunology / Contrast Media - adverse effects / Contrast Media - pharmacology / Disease Models, Animal / Gadolinium - adverse effects / Gadolinium - pharmacology / Gadolinium DTPA - adverse effects / Gadolinium DTPA - pharmacology / Inflammasomes - drug effects / Inflammasomes - immunology / Interleukin-1beta - drug effects / Interleukin-1beta - immunology / Interleukin-1beta - metabolism / Macrophages - drug effects / Macrophages - immunology / Mice / Mice, Inbred C57BL / Mice, Knockout / Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy - chemically induced / Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy - genetics / Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy - immunology / NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein / Organometallic Compounds - adverse effects / Organometallic Compounds - pharmacology / Peritoneum - drug effects / Peritoneum - immunology / Peritonitis - chemically induced / Peritonitis - genetics / Peritonitis - immunology