NDRG2 Promotes Lens Epithelial Cells Senescence via NLRP3/Caspase1-Mediated Pyroptosis

Object This study aims to investigate the molecular mechanism of NDRG2 (N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2) in the cell senescence of lens endothelial cells. Methods Lens endothelial cells (SRA01/04) were irradiated with UVB at different times. Cell viability was measured by CCK-8 kit and cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry. Cell senescence was detected using SA-β-gal staining. Western blot was utilized to detect the expressions of p53, p21 and NDRG2. TUNEL staining and flow cytometry were used to detect apoptosis and pyroptosis. Results UVB-irradiation significantly induces cell senescence and the expression of NDRG2, p53 and p21 in SRA01/04 cells was up-regulated. Down-regulation of NDRG2 inhibited UVB-induced cell senescence, significantly reversed pyroptosis and promoted cell proliferation. UVB-induced pyroptosis is closely related to caspase-1/NLRP3 axis. Conclusion Our study confirmed downregulation of NDRG2 significantly inhibited UVB radiation-induced cell senescence by regulating caspase-1/NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis.