Cadmium induces renal inflammation by activating the NLRP3 inflammasome through ROS/MAPK/NF-κB pathway in vitro and in vivo

Cadmium (Cd) has been reported to induce kidney damage by triggering oxidative stress and inflammation. The NLR family Pyrin Domain Containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome has been implicated a role in the pathogenesis of inflammation. However, the connection between Cd and NLRP3 inflammasome in the development of renal inflammation remains unknown. In this study, in vitro experiments based on the telomerase-immortalized human renal proximal-tubule epithelial cell line (RPTEC/TERT1) were carried out. Results revealed that CdCl 2 (2–8 μM) increased ROS production and activated NLRP3, thereby enhancing secretion of IL-1β and IL-18 ( P