The Circadian Clock Gene Bmal1 Regulates Microglial Pyroptosis After Spinal Cord Injury via NF-κB/MMP9

Spinal cord injury (SCI) often leads to neuroinflammation, where microglia cells in the spinal cord undergo pyroptosis, a form of cell death that worsens the injury. Bmal1, a gene involved in the body's internal clock, might play a role in regulating this process. This study found that Bmal1 can inhibit microglial pyroptosis after SCI by regulating the NF-κB /MMP9 pathway. This pathway involves proteins that control inflammation and tissue breakdown. The research suggests that targeting Bmal1 could be a new way to treat SCI by reducing neuroinflammation and promoting recovery.

• 1
  Bmal1 inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation and microglial pyroptosis after SCI both in vitro and in vivo.
• 2
  Bmal1 inhibits the release of IL-18 and IL-1β by inhibiting the NF-κB /MMP9 pathway.
• 3
  NF-κB was identified as a transcription factor that promotes the expression of MMP9, which in turn regulates microglial pyroptosis after SCI.