Intracardiac administration of neutrophil protease cathepsin G activates noncanonical inflammasome pathway and promotes inflammation and pathological remodeling in non-injured heart.

Background: Inflammatory serine proteases (ISPs) play an important role in cardiac repair after injury through hydrolysis of dead cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) debris. Evidence also suggests an important role of ISPs in the coordination of the inflammatory response. However, the effect of ISPs on inflammation is obfuscated by the confounding factors associated with cell death and inflammatory cell infiltration induced after cardiac injury.

Effects of consumption of whole grape powder on basal NF-κB signaling and inflammatory cytokine secretion in a mouse model of inflammation.

Dietary consumption of polyphenol-rich fruits, such as grapes, may reduce inflammation and potentially prevent diseases linked to inflammation. Here, we used a genetically engineered murine model to measure Nuclear Factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) activity and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion to test the hypothesis that oral consumption of whole grape formulation reduces inflammatory signaling in the body. NF-κB luciferase reporter mice were divided into two groups, one which was fed an experimental diet formulated with 4% (w/w) whole grape powder (WGP) or another which was fed a control diet formulated with 3.