073 | Modulation of NLRP3 inflammasome and macrophage polarization by quantum molecular resonance in THP-1 cells

Maria Giulia Di Battista¹, Osama Elsallabi¹, Benedetta Rizza¹, Tiziano Lupi¹, Alessandro Pozzato², Paola Lanuti¹, Antonia Patruno¹ | ¹Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Italy; ²Telea Electronic Engineering Srl, Sandrigo [VI], Italy.

This study explored the anti-inflammatory potential of Quantum Molecular Resonance (QMR) technology using an in vitro model of osteoarthritis-associated inflammation. Inflammatory cytokine production and nitrosative stress were induced in THP-1-derived macrophages by lipopolysaccharide and hyaluronic acid fragments stimulation. The expression and activity levels of COX-2 and iNOS were both decreased by QMR exposure, along with a significant attenuation of NF-κB signaling. Furthermore, QMR treatment had a significant impact on decreasing peroxynitrite levels, which are reactive nitrogen species generated under inflammatory conditions, and restoring tyrosine nitration levels to levels that were similar to those observed in cells treated with sham. QMR was analyzed for its effects on inflammasome activation and macrophage polarization. NLRP3 and active caspase-1 protein levels were significantly decreased by QMR treatment, which was also associated with reduced expression and release of IL-18 and IL-1β. Finally, our results demonstrated that QMR treatment promotes a shift in macrophage polarization from the M1 to the M2 phenotype.