The authors studied the role of Ca2+ in ASIC1a mediated chondrocytes pyroptosis of AA rats. They demonstrated that H+ in joint fluid activates ASIC1a, which promotes Ca2+ flow into cells. The upregulation of intercellular [Ca2+]i contributes to the expression, aggregation and assembly of the NLRP3 inflammasome, followed by the activation of Caspase-1, which cleaves pro-IL-1β /18 into their biologically active forms, and eventually chondrocytes go to pyroptosis.
- Xiaoshan Wu
- Guiling Ren
- Fei-Hu Chen