USP30 Knockdown Drives Mitophagy and Suppresses Pyroptosis in Heart Failure by Activating the PINK1/Parkin Pathway

This study probed into the mechanism of USP30 in mitophagy and pyroptosis during heart failure (HF).A cell model was constructed with oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD), and an HF rat model was generated by permanently ligating the left anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery. Loss-of-function experiments were carried out with the use of si-USP30 and si-PINK1. Cell viability was assessed using MTT, and cell death was measured by LDH release. Mitophagy was analyzed using immunofluorescence double staining, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) changes were detected by JC-1, and ROS levels were measured using specific kits. WB was performed to detect autophagy markers LC3II/I and p62, pyroptosis-related proteins NLRP3, active-caspase-1, GSDMD-N, and PINK1/Parkin protein expression. The inflammatory cytokines IL-18 and IL-1β were measured by ELISA. Histological changes and fibrosis in heart tissue were observed by H&E and Masson staining.USP30 was expressed abundantly in OGD-induced H9C2 cells and HF rats. USP30 knockdown enhanced viability, mitophagy, MMP, and LC3II/I but reduced death, NLRP3, p62, active-caspase-1, and GSDMD-N protein expression, and ROS, IL-1β, and IL-18 levels in OGD-treated H9C2 cells. PINK1 knockdown or mitophagy inhibition abolished the effects of USP30 knockdown on mitophagy and pyroptosis in OGD-treated H9C2 cells. Additionally, USP30 knockdown improved cardiac function and mitophagy while repressing pyroptosis in HF rats.In summary, USP30 controls mitophagy and pyroptosis in HF by mediating the PINK1/Parkin pathway.