The relationship between MBL2 levels and NLRP3 in acute ischemic stroke: Insights from a proteomics study

Objective: Inflammation plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of stroke. However, the proteins that initiate inflammatory responses remain unclear. In this study, we utilize proteomics to identify the core protein in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients and verify the relationship of the protein with NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3). Methods: Peripheral blood from AIS patients and patients without AIS was collected and analyzed using a quantitative proteomic method (label-free) to screen for differential proteins. Subsequently, the differential protein was validated by ELISA. Additionally, a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was utilized to explore the relationship between mannose-binding lectin 2 (MBL2) and NLRP3. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and western blot were also used to validate the interaction between the proteins and NLRP3. Results: A total of ten AIS patients and controls were enrolled in the proteomics study. Compared with the control group, a total of 49 proteins were identified as potential proteins. Among these proteins, MBL2 was notably increased in the AIS group and selected for further analysis. Subsequent ELISA analysis confirmed a significant elevation of MBL2 levels in stroke patients (P < 0.001). Further, in animal studies, Co-IP assays showed an interaction between MBL2 and NLRP3 proteins in cerebral tissue after ischemic infarction. Western blot results demonstrated that the expression levels of NLRP3 and MBL2 were significantly increased in MCAO rats. Conclusions: Our results suggest that MBL2 may be one of the promoters of inflammation by interacting with NLRP3 in AIS patients.