The role of IL-17 in orchestrating macrophage polarization via NF-κB, mTOR/HIF-1α and pyroptosis in diabetes

Abstract

Abstract To investigate the role of IL-17 in macrophage M1 polarization within a type 2 diabetic (T2DM) milieu and to evaluate the therapeutic potential of its neutralizing antibody. PMA-differentiated THP-1 macrophages were polarized to M1 state. Under high glucose, cells were treated with IL-17 and an IL-17 neutralizing antibody. Inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) were measured; mRNA levels of TNF-α, HIF-1α, and NLRP3 were assessed by qPCR; and protein expression related to the NF-κB, mTOR/HIF-1α axis and pyroptosis (NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD) was analyzed by Western Blot. High glucose and IL-17 synergistically promoted M1 polarization, enhancing proinflammatory cytokine secretion. This was associated with activation of the NF-κB, mTOR/HIF-1α signaling axis and induction of pyroptosis, evidenced by NLRP3 inflammasome assembly, Caspase-1 activation, and GSDMD cleavage. The IL-17 neutralizing antibody effectively suppressed these pathological processes. IL-17 acts as a key immunological amplifier in diabetes, driving M1 polarization, oxidative stress, and pyroptosis via the NF-κB, mTOR/HIF-1α axis and NLRP3 inflammasome. Treatment with an αIL-17 effectively reversed the aberrant activation of the aforementioned cellular phenotypes and signaling pathways, partially restoring macrophage functional balance. This finding provides preliminary experimental support for further exploration of IL-17-targeted immunomodulatory strategies to ameliorate diabetes-associated metabolic inflammation.