Study On The Expression Level Of NLRP3 Inflammasome In Hepatocytes Of Hepatic Alveolar Echinococcosis

Objective: To investigate the expression level of NLRP3 inflammasome in hepatocytes of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis and to analyze its mechanism in disease progression.Methods: From January 2018 to August 2018,the liver tissue specimens(normal liver tissue,marginal lesion tissue,lesion tissue)and serum samples(case group)of patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University were collected,and the serum samples of healthy adults(control group)were collected at the same time.We used immunohistochemistry to test the expression levels of NLRP3-inflammasome's component proteins and cytokines(NLRP3,Caspase-1,IL-1beta,IL-18,IL-33)in two groups(normal liver tissue and marginal lesion tissue)of hepatocytes.Statistical method was used to analyze the difference of each test index between the corresponding two groups.In addition,we used Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)to test the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines downstream of NLRP3 inflammasome in serum of patients and control group.Statistical method was used to analyze the difference of each test index between the corresponding two groups.Results: Immunohistochemical results showed that 1.NLRP3,Caspase-1,IL-1?,IL-18 and IL-33 were widely expressed in normal hepatocytes,but the positive cells of NLRP3,Caspase-1,IL-1? and IL-33 in marginal lesion tissue were more numerous and stained more intensively than those in normal liver tissue.The difference is obvious and has statistical significance(P < 0.05).2.The number and staining intensity of IL-18 positive cells in marginal lesion tissue are lower than those in normal liver group.The difference is obvious and has statistical significance(P < 0.05).The results of serum ELISA showed that the expression level of IL-33 in the case group was higher than that in the control group.It has statistical significance(p <0.05).There were no significant differences in the levels of IL-1? and IL-18 in peripheral serum between case group and control group(P > 0.05).Conclusion:(1)NLRP3 inflammasome was activated in hepatocytes at the edge of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.The expression level of inflammasome-related proteins and cytokines(except IL-18)increased.This suggests that NLRP3(2)inflammasome may be involved in the progression of HAE.IL-1?,a proinflammatory agent mediated by activated NLRP3 inflammasome in local tissues at the edge of HAE lesions,was not released into the blood in large quantities,which may not be a potential risk factor for inflammatory damage of multiple tissues and organs in the host.