NLRP3/ASC inflammasome activation and micro-RNA-155 contribute to alcohol-induced neuroinflammation

Alcohol-induced neuroinflammation is mediated by pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-1-beta (IL-1 β). IL-1β production requires caspase-1 activation by inflammasomes, multiprotein complexes that are assembled in response to danger signals. We hypothesized that alcohol-induced inflammasome activation contributes to increased IL-1β in the brain. We found increased expression of inflammasome com ponents (NLRP1, NLRP3, ASC) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNFα, MCP-1) in the brain of alcohol-fed compared to control mice.

Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: Gyongyi Szabo, Dora Lippai, Shashi Bala Source Type: research