Dynamics of action of a Lys-49 and an Asp-49 PLA2s on inflammasome NLRP3 activation in murine macrophages

[Display omitted] •BthTX-I and BthTX-II induces PGE2 and IL-1β liberation.•Both PLA2s induces NLRP3 inflammasome activation.•EP2 and EP4, receptors for PGE2, are involved in NLRP3 inflammasome activation by both PLA2s. Phospholipases A2 (PLA2s) are proteins found in snake venoms with hemolytic, anticoagulant, myotoxic, edematogenic, bactericidal and inflammatory actions. In Bothrops jararacussu snake venom were isolated a Lys49-PLA2 (BthTX-I) and an Asp49-PLA2 (BthTX-II) with myotoxic and inflammatory actions. Both PLA2s can activate the NLRP3 inflammasome, an intracytoplasmic platform that recognizes molecules released when tissue is damaged liberating IL-1β that contributes to the inflammatory response observed in envenoming. The dynamic of action of BthTX-I and BthTX-II in both thioglycollate (TG)-elicited macrophages and C2C12 myoblasts and the involvement of EP1 and EP2 receptors, and PGE2 in NLRP3 inflammasome activation were evaluated. Both toxins induced PGE2 liberation and inflammasome components (NLRP3, Caspase-1, ASC, IL-1β, and IL18), IL-6, P2X7, COX-1, COX-2, EP2 and EP4 gene expression in TG-elicited macrophages but not in C2C12 myoblasts. EP2 (PF04418948) and EP4 (GW627368X) inhibitors abolished this effect. Both PLA2s also induced NLRP3 inflammasome protein expression that was abolished with the inhibitors used. Immunofluorescence and IL-1β assays confirmed the NLRP3 activation in TG-elicited macrophages with the participation of both EP2 and EP4 receptors confirming their involvement in this effect. All in all, BthTX-I and BthTX-II activate macrophages and induce the NLRP3 inflammasome complex activation with the participation of the PGE2 via COX pathway and EP2 and EP4, both PGE2 receptors, contributing to the local inflammatory effects observed in envenoming.