Background & Aims

To explore the release of IL-18 from AIM2 inflammasome activation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of herpes zoster patients at different stages, and to conduct preliminary validation

Methods

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells and serum were collected and isolated from 67 patients AHN, 58 patients with SHN, 38 patients with PHN, and 30 healthy controls. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression of AIM2 inflammasome-related genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of herpes zoster patients at different stages. The expression of AIM2 inflammasome protein and the activation cleavage of GSDMD protein in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were detected using western blotting. The level of IL-18 secretion in serum was detected using protein chip technology

Results

The real-time quantitative PCR results showed that the gene expression of AIM2 and IL-18 increased significantly in the different stages of herpes zoster AHN, SHN and PHN (p < 0.05), and the difference was particularly obvious in the PHN stage (p < 0.001). Western blotting results showed that the gene expression of AIM2 and IL-18 increased significantly in different stages of herpes zoster AHN, SHN and PHN compared with healthy people. During various stages of herpes zoster, pro-caspase-1 undergoes self-cleavage to produce active caspase-1 (p20). This active caspase-1 then cleaves GSDMD, resulting in the production of GSDMD-NT fragments that possess cell membrane pore-forming activity and ultimately lead to pyroptosis. The results of protein chip technology showed that the secretion level of IL-18 in the serum of patients with herpes zoster was significantly increased, particularly in the PHN stage.

Conclusions

The activation of the AIM2 inflammasome in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and the subsequent release of IL-18 are implicated in the onset and progression of herpes zoster disease.

References

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Presenting Author

Chenguang Li

Poster Authors

Lizu Xiao

M.D

Nanshan Hospital of Shenzhen University

Lead Author

Topics

  • Specific Pain Conditions/Pain in Specific Populations: Neuropathic Pain - Peripheral