The NLRP3 inhibitor, MCC950, attenuates environmental pollutant PM2.5-induced acute lung injury by inhibiting alveolar macrophage pyroptosis

  • Curr Res Toxicol. 2026 Jan 22:10:100282. doi: 10.1016/j.crtox.2026.100282.
Zhuoxiao Han  1 ,  Ying Han  2 ,  Ranran Li  3  4 ,  Kexin Fan  1 ,  Xiao Zhang  5 ,  Tengfei Sun  6 ,  Yue Li  7 ,  Hua Qiao  1
Affiliations
  • 1. Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, the First Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao 066000, China.
  • 2. Department of Neurosurgery, the First Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao 066000, China.
  • 3. School of Economics and Management, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China.
  • 4. Collaborative Innovation Center of Industry Development of Coast Area, Qinhuangdao 066004, China.
  • 5. Department of Neurosurgery, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050000, China.
  • 6. Department of Gastroenterology, the First Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao 066000, China.
  • 7. Medical department, the First Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao 066000, China.
PMID: 41743188 DOI: 10.1016/j.crtox.2026.100282
Abstract

PM2.5 is a key environmental pollutant that induces inflammatory lung injury. Effective prevention and treatment for PM2.5-induced lung damage remain lacking. This study investigated MCC950's protective role in PM2.5-exposed mice and macrophages. PM2.5 triggers NLRP3/Caspase-1-mediated Pyroptosis, amplifying pulmonary inflammation. MCC950 attenuates injury by inhibiting Pyroptosis, suggesting therapeutic potential.

Keywords
Alveolar macrophage; MCC950; NLRP3; PM2.5; Pyroptosis.
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