Inhibition of NLRP3 Protects Human Lens Epithelial Cells against Oxidative Stress-Induced Apoptosis by NF-κB Signaling

<b><i>Backgrounds/Aims:</i></b> To explore whether NLRP3 is involved in the development of cataract and to study the effect of NLRP3 on hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced injury in human lens epithelial cells. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Oxidative stress-induced apoptosis model was constructed by treating HLEB3 cells with 50 µM H₂O₂ at different times (6 h, 12 h) and was confirmed by flow cytometry and Western blot. HLEB3 were divided into NC, NC+H₂O₂, shNLRP3, and shNLRP3+H₂O₂ groups. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were employed to detect mRNA and protein expressions, DCFH-DA to measure reactive oxygen species production, and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining to determine cell apoptosis. <b><i>Results:</i></b> NLRP3 expression significantly increased in H₂O₂-induced HLEB3 cells. shRNA interference of NLRP3 inflammasome protects HLEB3 cells against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis by decreasing the expression levels of caspase-3 and Bax and increasing Bcl-2 expression. shNLRP3 was able to effectively suppress H₂O₂-induced apoptosis via inhibition of NF-κB signaling. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> NLRP3 might be involved in the apoptosis of lens epithelial cells. The inhibition of NLRP3 obviously attenuated H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress injury of human lens epithelial cells via NF-κB signaling.