Background Neuroinflammation has an important role in the pathophysiology of migraine, which is a complex neuro-glio-vascular disorder. The main aim of this review is to highlight findings of... Show moreBackground Neuroinflammation has an important role in the pathophysiology of migraine, which is a complex neuro-glio-vascular disorder. The main aim of this review is to highlight findings of cortical spreading depolarization (CSD)-induced neuroinflammatory signaling in brain parenchyma from the inflammasome perspective. In addition, we discuss the limited data of the contribution of inflammasomes to other aspects of migraine pathophysiology, foremost the activation of the trigeminovascular system and thereby the generation of migraine pain. Main body Inflammasomes are signaling multiprotein complexes and key components of the innate immune system. Their activation causes the production of inflammatory cytokines that can stimulate trigeminal neurons and are thus relevant to the generation of migraine pain. The contribution of inflammasome activation to pain signaling has attracted considerable attention in recent years. Nucleotide-binding domain (NOD)-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) is the best characterized inflammasome and there is emerging evidence of its role in a variety of inflammatory pain conditions, including migraine. In this review, we discuss, from an inflammasome point of view, cortical spreading depolarization (CSD)-induced neuroinflammatory signaling in brain parenchyma, the connection with genetic factors that make the brain vulnerable to CSD, and the relation of the inflammasome with diseases that are co-morbid with migraine, including stroke, epilepsy, and the possible links with COVID-19 infection. Conclusion Neuroinflammatory pathways, specifically those involving inflammasome proteins, seem promising candidates as treatment targets, and perhaps even biomarkers, in migraine. Show less
Aims Inflammation plays an important role in cardiovascular disease (CVD) development. The NOD-like receptor protein-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome contributes to the development of atherosclerosis in... Show moreAims Inflammation plays an important role in cardiovascular disease (CVD) development. The NOD-like receptor protein-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome contributes to the development of atherosclerosis in animal models. Components of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway such as interleukin-1 beta can therapeutically be targeted. Associations of genetically determined inflammasome-mediated systemic inflammation with CVD and mortality in humans are unknown.Methods and results We explored the association of genetic NLRP3 variants with prevalent CVD and cardiovascular mortality in 538 167 subjects on the individual participant level in an explorative gene-centric approach without performing multiple testing. Functional relevance of single-nucleotide polymorphisms on NLRP3 inflammasome activation has been evaluated in monocyte-enriched peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Genetic analyses identified the highly prevalent (minor allele frequency 39.9%) intronic NLRP3 variant rs10754555 to affect NLRP3 gene expression. rs10754555 carriers showed significantly higher C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A plasma Carriers of the G allele showed higher NLRP3 inflammasome activation in isolated human PBMCs. In carriers of the rs10754555 variant, the prevalence of coronary artery disease was significantly higher as compared to non-carriers with a significant interaction between rs10754555 and age. Importantly, rs10754555 carriers had significantly higher risk for cardiovascular mortality during follow-up. Inflammasome inducers (e.g. urate, triglycerides, apolipoprotein C3) modulated the association between rs10754555 and mortality.Conclusion The NLRP3 intronic variant rs10754555 is associated with increased systemic inflammation, inflammasome activation, prevalent coronary artery disease, and mortality. This study provides evidence for a substantial role of genetically driven systemic inflammation in CVD and highlights the NLRP3 inflammasome as a therapeutic target.[GRAPHICS]. Show less
Overgewicht en obesitas kunnen leiden tot insulineresistentie (type 2 diabetes mellitus) en hyperlipidemie, een risicofactor voor atherosclerose (aderverkalking). Obesitas gaat ook gepaard met de... Show moreOvergewicht en obesitas kunnen leiden tot insulineresistentie (type 2 diabetes mellitus) en hyperlipidemie, een risicofactor voor atherosclerose (aderverkalking). Obesitas gaat ook gepaard met de ontwikkeling van een chronische ontsteking in vetweefsel en lever. Met dit promotieonderzoek laten we met behulp van onderzoek in muizen zien dat ontsteking een belangrijke rol speelt in het metabolisme en transport van vetten. We bekijken ook welk effect dit heeft op de ontwikkeling van atherosclerose en type 2 diabetes. In het eerste deel van dit promotieonderzoek laten we zien dat ontsteking een belangrijke rol speelt in vetmetabolisme en atherosclerose. De ontstekingsremmer aspirine zorgde voor een verlaging van de hoeveelheid vet in het bloed. Activatie van een onsteking in de lever leidde juist tot een verhoging van vet in het bloed, wat de ontwikkeling van atherosclerose in de vaatwand verergerde. In het tweede deel van dit promotieonderzoek bestuderen we het belang van het inflammasoom/caspase-1 complex (betrokken bij ontstekingsprocessen) in obesitas, insulineresistentie en vetmetabolisme. We laten zien dat muizen die een deel van dit eiwit-complex missen, beschermt zijn tegen de ontwikkeling van obesitas en insulineresistentie. Het inflammasoom/caspase-1 complex lijkt daarmee een potentieel target voor de behandeling van obesitas, insulineresistentie en type 2 diabetes. Show less
