Phytosterol-mediated disturbance of the lipid packing order in the plasma membrane regulates inflammatory response
Xiuxiu Wang, Jianfeng Liu, Fangling Du, Aizhen Zong, Tongcheng Xu
Abstract
subunit to the cell membrane, thereby inhibiting the activity of NADPH oxidase (NOX). Consequently, this leads to a reduction in NOX-mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and subsequent downregulation of NLRP3 inflammasome expression. Simulation results indicate that the incorporation of phytosterols increases the distance between adjacent molecules in the phospholipid bilayer, which may represent a potential mechanism underlying the increased fluidity of the cell membrane. In summary, this work provides novel insights into the bioactivity of phytosterols and highlights the significance of the physical properties of the cell membrane in regulating cellular activity.