Journal: Journal of Nanobiotechnology
Article Title: A living therapeutic platform for localized in situ modulation of macrophage pyroptosis ameliorates GVHD while preserving GVL
doi: 10.1186/s12951-026-04285-6
Figure Lengend Snippet: Identification and functional validation of BigLEN as a novel NLRP3‑inhibitory peptide. ( A ) Schematic workflow for the virtual screening of NLRP3‑inhibitory peptides. ( B ) Structural analysis of the NLRP3 NACHT domain in complex with a known inhibitor, highlighting the conserved hydrophobic binding pocket. ( C ) Pharmacophore model constructed based on key inhibitor‑protein interactions, featuring four critical chemical features (hydrogen bond acceptors and donors) for virtual screening. ( D ) Molecular docking pose of the candidate peptide BigLEN within the NACHT domain hydrophobic pocket. ( E ) Detailed interaction diagram between BigLEN and key residues (His367, Arg578, Glu369, Glu629) of the NLRP3 NACHT domain, with corresponding binding energies. ( F ) Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensograms showing concentration‑dependent binding of BigLEN to immobilized NLRP3 protein. The equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) was calculated to be 1.749 × 10⁻⁷ M. ( G - H ) Flow cytometry analysis of cell death in mouse bone marrow‑derived macrophages (BMDMs). Cells were primed with LPS and stimulated with nigericin in the presence or absence of BigLEN (10 or 50 µM). ( I ) Representative Western blot images of key pyroptosis‑related proteins and ASC in BMDMs in different groups. ( J ) Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay of supernatant from BMDMs following LPS/nigericin stimulation in the presence or absence of BigLEN (10 or 50 µM), supernatants were collected 12 h after BigLEN treatment. ( K ) Representative TEM image of BMDMs in different groups. Scale bar = 1 μm. Data are representative of three independent experiments. Statistical significance was determined by one‑way ANOVA with Tukey’s post‑hoc test (* p < 0.05). Quantitative data are presented as mean ± SEM
Article Snippet: Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis was performed on a Biacore T200 instrument (GE Healthcare, USA) to measure the binding affinity between the NACHT protein (HY-P701027, MCE, USA) and BigLEN (501036-69-7, MCE, USA).
Techniques: Functional Assay, Biomarker Discovery, Binding Assay, Construct, SPR Assay, Flow Cytometry, Western Blot, Lactate Dehydrogenase Assay