IP3R2-mediated Ca²⁺ release promotes LPS-induced cardiomyocyte pyroptosis via the activation of NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway

Pyroptosis plays a crucial role in sepsis, and the abnormal handling of myocyte calcium (Ca²⁺) has been associated with cardiomyocyte pyroptosis. Specifically, the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 2 (IP3R2) is a Ca²⁺ release channel in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). However, the specific role of IP3R2 in sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy (SIC) has not yet been determined. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanism by which IP3R2 channel-mediated Ca²⁺ signaling contributes to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)—induced cardiac pyroptosis. The SIC model was established in rats by intraperitoneal injection of LPS (10 mg/kg). Cardiac dysfunction was assessed using echocardiography, and the protein expression of relevant signaling pathways was analyzed using ELISA, RT-qPCR, and western blot. Small interfering RNAs (siRNA) and an inhibitor were used to explore the role of IP3R2 in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) stimulated by LPS in vitro. LPS-induced NLRP3 overexpression and GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis in the rats’ heart. Treatment with the NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 alleviated LPS-induced cardiomyocyte pyroptosis. Furthermore, LPS increased ATP-induced intracellular Ca²⁺ release and IP3R2 expression in NRCMs. Inhibiting IP3R activity with xestospongin C (XeC) or knocking down IP3R2 reversed LPS-induced intracellular Ca²⁺ release. Additionally, inhibiting IP3R2 reversed LPS-induced pyroptosis by suppressing the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway. We also found that ER stress and IP3R2-mediated Ca²⁺ release mutually regulated each other, contributing to cardiomyocyte pyroptosis. IP3R2 promotes NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis by regulating ER Ca²⁺ release, and the mutual regulation of IP3R2 and ER stress further promotes LPS-induced pyroptosis in cardiomyocytes.