Location: Grain Quality and Structure Research
Project Number: 3020-43440-002-021-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 1, 2020
End Date: Aug 31, 2025
Objective:
The objective of this project is to identify the mechanism of action involved in sorghum phenolics inhibition of inflammasomes. We expect to establish the mechanism of action involved in the inhibitory effect of sorghum phenolics against the inflammasomes. This will serve as impetus to study the chemopreventive properties of sorghum phenolics against diseases associated with inflammation and inflammasomes activation such as colitis and colorectal cancer.
Approach:
To meet the objectives of this project, the areas of research will be conducted. First the efficacy of sorghum phenolics to block potassium efflux involved in the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes will be tested using cellular based assays. Second, sorghum phenolics will be evaluated for their ability to prevent mitochondrial reactive oxygen species-induced activation of the NLRP3 inflammasomes. This will be done by testing to see if sorghum phenolics can prevent activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes by quenching mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. Finally, this project will determine if sorghum phenolics can prevent oligomerization of the NLRP3 inflammasomes. This will be tested by measuring ASC oligomerization (caspase activation) of macrophages.
