# TRPA1 promotes overactive bladder progression by activating the NLRP3 inflammasome and driving pyroptosis

**Authors:** Yongjuan Rao, Yunran Wang, Jie Gao, Xun Guan, Sixuan Lv, Junlian Gu, Kefang Wang

PMC · DOI: 10.1038/s41419-026-08426-5 · Cell Death & Disease · 2026-02-16

## TL;DR

TRPA1 contributes to overactive bladder by activating the NLRP3 inflammasome and causing pyroptosis, suggesting new treatment strategies.

## Contribution

Identifies TRPA1 as a key driver of OAB progression via NLRP3 activation and pyroptosis.

## Key findings

- TRPA1 expression is elevated in OAB patients and animal models.
- TRPA1 activates the NLRP3 inflammasome and triggers pyroptosis in OAB.
- HC-030031 reduces inflammation and restores bladder function in OAB.

## Abstract

Overactive bladder (OAB) is strongly linked to intravesical inflammatory responses. Transient receptor potential ankyrin-1 (TRPA1) is a key sensor and signaling molecule in bladder function, crucial for initiating and maintaining inflammation. However, the mechanisms underlying TRPA1-mediated inflammatory processes in OAB remain unclear. This study aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of TRPA1 and the contribution of inflammatory pathways to OAB. Elevated TRPA1 expression was observed in urinary sediment cells from OAB patients and in bladder tissues from OAB animal models. Mechanistically, TRPA1 drives the progression of OAB by activating the Nod-Like Receptor Family Pyrin Domain Containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and triggering pyroptosis. Notably, treatment with HC-030031 effectively mitigated inflammatory responses and restored bladder function, whereas Nlrp3 overexpression negated these therapeutic benefits. Furthermore, TRPA1-mediated upregulation of NLRP3 was dependent on the transcription factors MAZ and SMAD3, highlighting a novel regulatory axis. Our findings establish TRPA1 as a pivotal mediator in the progression of OAB by activating the NLRP3 inflammasome and thereby inducing pyroptosis. Targeting TRPA1 or the NLRP3 signaling pathway represents a promising therapeutic strategy for OAB, offering new insights into disease management and potential improvements in patient outcomes.

## Linked entities

- **Genes:** TRPA1 (transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily A member 1) [NCBI Gene 8989], NLRP3 (NLR family pyrin domain containing 3) [NCBI Gene 114548], MAZ (MYC associated zinc finger protein) [NCBI Gene 4150], SMAD3 (SMAD family member 3) [NCBI Gene 4088]
- **Chemicals:** HC-030031 (PubChem CID 1150897)
- **Diseases:** overactive bladder (MONDO:0006624)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** Actb (actin, beta) [NCBI Gene 11461] {aka Actx, E430023M04Rik, beta-actin}, IL18 (interleukin 18) [NCBI Gene 3606] {aka IGIF, IL-18, IL-1g, IL1F4}, GSDMD (gasdermin D) [NCBI Gene 79792] {aka DF5L, DFNA5L, FKSG10, GSDMDC1}, Il6 (interleukin 6) [NCBI Gene 16193] {aka Il-6}, Gsdmd (gasdermin D) [NCBI Gene 69146] {aka 1810036L03Rik, DF5L, Dfna5l, GsdmD-1, Gsdmdc1, M2-4}, Il18 (interleukin 18) [NCBI Gene 16173] {aka Igif, Il-18}, Il1b (interleukin 1 beta) [NCBI Gene 16176] {aka IL-1beta, Il-1b}, Il1a (interleukin 1 alpha) [NCBI Gene 16175] {aka Il-1a}, Il17a (interleukin 17A) [NCBI Gene 16171] {aka Ctla-8, Ctla8, IL-17, IL-17A, Il17}, Nfkb1 (nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B cells 1, p105) [NCBI Gene 18033] {aka NF-KB1, NF-kappaB, NF-kappaB1, p105, p50, p50/p105}, Maz (MYC-associated zinc finger protein (purine-binding transcription factor)) [NCBI Gene 17188] {aka MAZI, PUR1, Pur-1, SAF-1, SAF-2}, IL1B (interleukin 1 beta) [NCBI Gene 3553] {aka IL-1, IL1-BETA, IL1F2, IL1beta}, Sp1 (trans-acting transcription factor 1) [NCBI Gene 20683] {aka 1110003E12Rik, Sp1-1}, Smad3 (SMAD family member 3) [NCBI Gene 17127] {aka Madh3}, Stat3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) [NCBI Gene 20848] {aka 1110034C02Rik, Aprf}, SMAD3 (SMAD family member 3) [NCBI Gene 4088] {aka HSPC193, HsT17436, JV15-2, LDS1C, LDS3, MADH3}, MAZ (MYC associated zinc finger protein) [NCBI Gene 4150] {aka PUR1, Pur-1, SAF-1, SAF-2, SAF-3, ZF87}, Trpa1 (transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily A, member 1) [NCBI Gene 277328] {aka Anktm1, TRPA1b}, Casp1 (caspase 1) [NCBI Gene 12362] {aka ICE, Il1bc}, NLRP3 (NLR family pyrin domain containing 3) [NCBI Gene 114548] {aka AGTAVPRL, AII, AVP, C1orf7, CIAS1, CLR1.1}, CRP (C-reactive protein) [NCBI Gene 1401] {aka PTX1}, Tgfb1 (transforming growth factor, beta 1) [NCBI Gene 21803] {aka TGF-beta1, TGFbeta1, Tgfb, Tgfb-1}, IL6 (interleukin 6) [NCBI Gene 3569] {aka BSF-2, BSF2, CDF, HGF, HSF, IFN-beta-2}, Tnf (tumor necrosis factor) [NCBI Gene 21926] {aka DIF, TNF-a, TNF-alpha, TNFSF2, TNFalpha, Tnfa}, PYCARD (PYD and CARD domain containing) [NCBI Gene 29108] {aka ASC, CARD5, TMS, TMS-1, TMS1}, Nlrp3 (NLR family, pyrin domain containing 3) [NCBI Gene 216799] {aka AGTAVPRL, AII/AVP, Cias1, FCAS, FCU, MWS}, CASP1 (caspase 1) [NCBI Gene 834] {aka ICE, IL1BC, P45}, TRPA1 (transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily A member 1) [NCBI Gene 8989] {aka ANKTM1, FEPS, FEPS1, p120}
- **Diseases:** pulmonary inflammation (MESH:D011014), urge urinary incontinence (MESH:D053202), nocturia (MESH:D053158), bladder dysfunctions (MESH:D001745), bladder outlet obstruction (MESH:D001748), fibrosis (MESH:D005355), Inflammation (MESH:D007249), bladder edema (MESH:D004487), OAB (MESH:D053201), chronic constipation (MESH:D003248), hypersensitivity (MESH:D004342), kidney injury (MESH:D007674), IC (MESH:D018856), tissue injury (MESH:D017695), bladder cancer (MESH:D001749), urinary tract disorders (MESH:D014570), urgency urinary incontinence (MESH:D014549), N (MESH:C536108), cytotoxicity (MESH:D064420), LUTS (MESH:D059411)
- **Chemicals:** TRIzol (MESH:C411644), CCK-8 (MESH:D012844), CYP (MESH:D003520), MCC950 (MESH:C000597426), urethane (MESH:D014520), SDS (MESH:D012967), NaCl (MESH:D012965), methanol (MESH:D000432), streptomycin (MESH:D013307), HC (MESH:D006854), HC-030031 (MESH:C552888), Calcein (MESH:C007740), Co (MESH:D003035), DAPI (MESH:C007293), formaldehyde (MESH:D005557), H (MESH:D006859), PBS (MESH:D007854), Hematoxylin (MESH:D006416), penicillin (MESH:D010406), H&amp;E (MESH:D006371), hydrogen peroxide (MESH:D006861), PI (MESH:D011419), cisplatin (MESH:D002945), AAV9 (-), AC (MESH:D000171), AITC (MESH:C041942)
- **Species:** Mus musculus (house mouse, species) [taxon 10090], Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606], Rattus norvegicus (brown rat, species) [taxon 10116]
- **Cell lines:** 5637 — Homo sapiens (Human), Bladder carcinoma, Cancer cell line (CVCL_0126), PRJEB11369 — Homo sapiens (Human), Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Transformed cell line (CVCL_BG40), C57BL/6J — Mus musculus (Mouse), Transformed cell line (CVCL_C0MW)

## Full text

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## Figures

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12921228