Galvanic current activates the NLRP3 inflammasome to promote type I collagen production in tendon

Abstract

The NLRP3 inflammasome coordinates inflammation in response to different pathogen- and damage-associated molecular patterns, being implicated in different infectious, chronic inflammatory, metabolic and degenerative diseases. In chronic tendinopathies lesions, different non-resolving mechanisms produce a degenerative condition that impairs tissue healing, complicating their clinical management. Percutaneous needle electrolysis consist in the application of a galvanic current and is emerging as a novel treatment for tendinopathies. Here we found that galvanic current activates the NLRP3 inflammasome and the induction of an inflammatory response promoting a collagen-mediated regeneration of the tendon. This study establish the molecular mechanism of percutaneous electrolysis for the treatment of chronic lesions and the beneficial effects of an induced inflammasome-related response.