NLRP3 inflammasome activation mediates terahertz exposure-induced skin aseptic inflammation in mice

Abstract

Objective To investigate the biological effects of terahertz (THz) exposure on the skin injury of mice, and explore the mechanism of the induced skin aseptic inflammation. Methods The hair-removed skin in the back of C57BL/6J mice were exposed to 0.22 THz irradiation, at a peak power density of 25, 80 and 160 mW/cm2, respectively and a duty factor of 1: 5, for 5 or 10 min. The release of inflammatory factors, oxidative stress and activation of NLR P3 inflammasome were detected after the exposure. Caspase-1 specific inhibitor Z-YVAD was employed to determine the role of the activation in the inflammation. Results Exposure to 160 mW/cm2 THz irradiation for 10 min induced oxidative stress, and the releases of PGE2, IL-1β and IL-6 in the skin (P < 0.05). And the 80 mW/cm2 and 160 mW/cm2 THz exposure activated the NLRP3 inflammasome in the skin, and the Caspase-1 inhibitor reduced the inflammatory factors induced by the THz irradiation (P < 0.05). Conclusion THz exposure induces oxidative stress and aseptic inflammation. Activation of NLRP3 inflammasome mediates the skin aseptic inflammation induced by THz irradiation, which might be associated with oxidative stress.

Keywords

• terahertz
• skin
• inflammation
• nlrp3 inflammasome
• oxidative stress