Curcumin Induces MCF-7 Cells Pyroptosis via Autophagy/CTSB/NLRP3/ Caspase-1/GSDMD Signaling Pathway in Vitro and Vivo

Abstract

Haonan Duan

Background: Curcumin, as a lipid-lowering drug, has been reported to be effective in the treatment of breast cancer. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms have not been completely investigated.

Methods: MTT assay was used to determine the effect of curcumin on survival rate of MCF-7 cells. The effects of curcumin on tumor growth were observed in animal models of breast cancer. The positive reactions of Caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18 were detected by immunohistochemistry. LC3, p62, CTSB, ASC, Pro-Caspase-1, GSDMD, NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD-N, IL-1β and IL-18 were determined by Western blot in vitro and vivo. ELISA determined the release of extracellular IL-1β and IL-18. LDH release was measured. The expression level of CTSB in cytoplasm were determined by immunofluorescence assay. Cell proliferation, cell migration and tube formation assays were used to determine the abilities of cells. In this study, NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor MCC950, cathepsin B inhibitor CA-074 ME and autophagy inhibitor 3-MA were used to act on cells to investigate the role of NLRP3 inflammasome, cathepsin B and autophagy in curcumin-induced pyro ptosis of MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Results: In mouse model of breast cancer, we observed that curcumin treatment significantly induced cell autophagy and pyro ptosis. In human breast cancer MCF-7 cells, we found that curcumin induced pyrophoric cell death was dependent on the activation of NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway, which was CTSB-dependent. In addition, curcumin-induced cell autophagy caused lysosomal rupture and CTSB release. Furthermore, NLRP3 inhibitor (MCC950) significantly suppressed curcumin-induced pyro ptosis, as well as CTSB inhibitor (CA074 Me) and autophagy inhibitor (3-MA). Besides, we also found that curcumin suppressed cell proliferation, cell migration and tube formation, which could be reversed by inhibitors.

Conclusions: In summary, our results demonstrated that curcumin induced MCF-7 cell pyro ptosis by the activation of autophagy/CTSB/NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway. These findings offer novel insights into the potential molecular mechanisms of curcumin in treatment of breast cancer.

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