Inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome prevents ovarian aging

  • José M. Navarro-Pando
  • , Elísabet Alcocer-Gómez
  • , Beatriz Castejón-Vega
  • , Elena Navarro-Villarán
  • , Mónica Condés-Hervás
  • , María Mundi-Roldan
  • , Jordi Muntané
  • , Antonio J. Pérez-Pulido
  • , Pedro Bullon
  • , Chun Wang
  • , Hal M. Hoffman
  • , Alberto Sanz
  • , Gabriel Mbalaviele
  • , Bernhard Ryffel
  • , Mario D. Cordero

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Inflammation is a hallmark of aging and is negatively affecting female fertility. In this study, we evaluate the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in ovarian aging and female fertility. Age-dependent increased expression of NLRP3 in the ovary was observed in WT mice during reproductive aging. High expression of NLRP3, caspase-1, and IL-1β was also observed in granulosa cells from patients with ovarian insufficiency. Ablation of NLRP3 improved the survival and pregnancy rates and increased anti-Müllerian hormone levels and autophagy rates in ovaries. Deficiency of NLRP3 also reduced serum FSH and estradiol levels. Consistent with these results, pharmacological inhibition of NLRP3 using a direct NLRP3 inhibitor, MCC950, improved fertility in female mice to levels comparable to those of Nlrp3−/− mice. These results suggest that the NLRP3 inflammasome is implicated in the age-dependent loss of female fertility and position this inflammasome as a potential new therapeutic target for the treatment of infertility.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbereabc7409
JournalScience Advances
Volume7
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2021

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