Long-lasting
inflammation in the intestinal tract renders individuals susceptible to
colitis-associated cancer (CAC). The
NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)
inflammasome plays a key role in the progression of
inflammatory bowel disease and CAC. Therefore, identifying effective drugs that prevent CAC by targeting NLRP3
inflammasome is of great interest. Here, we aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of
caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs), THP-1 cells, and
azoxymethane/
dextran sulfate sodium (AOM/DSS)-induced
colon cancer mouse model. We also investigated the anti-
tumor mechanism of CAPE. We found that CAPE decreased NLRP3
inflammasome activation in BMDMs and THP-1 cells and protected mice from
colorectal cancer induced by AOM/DSS. CAPE regulated NLRP3 at the post-transcriptional level by inhibiting
reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. However, CAPE did not affect NLRP3 or IL-1β transcription, but instead enhanced NLRP3 binding to
ubiquitin molecules, promoting NLRP3 ubiquitination, and contributing to the anti-
tumor effect in the AOM/DSS mouse model. Moreover, CAPE suppressed the interaction between NLRP3 and CSN5 but enhanced that between NLRP3 and Cullin1 both in vivo and in vitro. Altogether, our findings demonstrate that CAPE prevents CAC by post-transcriptionally inhibiting NLRP3
inflammasome. Thus, CAPE may be an effective candidate for reducing the risk of CAC in patients with
inflammatory bowel disease.