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Background: Pyroptosis executor GsdmD (gasdermin D) promotes atherosclerosis in mice and humans. Disulfiram was recently shown to potently inhibit GsdmD, but the in vivo efficacy and mechanism of disulfiram's antiatherosclerotic activity is yet to be explored., Methods and Results: We used human/mouse macrophages, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells and a hyperlipidemic mouse model of atherosclerosis to determine disulfiram antiatherosclerotic efficacy and mechanism. The effects of disulfiram on several atheroprotective pathways such as autophagy, efferocytosis, phagocytosis, and gut microbiota were determined. Atomic force microscopy was used to determine the effects of disulfiram on the biophysical properties of the plasma membrane of macrophages. Disulfiram-fed hyperlipidemic apolipoprotein E -/- mice showed significantly reduced interleukin-1β release upon in vivo Nlrp3 (NLR family pyrin domain containing 3) inflammasome activation. Disulfiram-fed mice showed smaller atherosclerotic lesions (~27% and 29% reduction in males and females, respectively) and necrotic core areas (~50% and 46% reduction in males and females, respectively). Disulfiram induced autophagy in macrophages, smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, hepatocytes/liver, and atherosclerotic plaques. Disulfiram modulated other atheroprotective pathways (eg, efferocytosis, phagocytosis) and gut microbiota. Disulfiram-treated macrophages showed enhanced phagocytosis/efferocytosis, with the mechanism being a marked increase in cell-surface expression of efferocytic receptor MerTK. Atomic force microscopy analysis revealed altered biophysical properties of disulfiram-treated macrophages, showing increased order-state of plasma membrane and increased adhesion strength. Furthermore, 16sRNA sequencing of disulfiram-fed hyperlipidemic mice showed highly significant enrichment in atheroprotective gut microbiota Akkermansia and a reduction in atherogenic Romboutsia species., Conclusions: Taken together, our data show that disulfiram can simultaneously modulate several atheroprotective pathways in a GsdmD-dependent as well as GsdmD-independent manner.

This study compared first graders' attitudes toward a peer who used an iPad(®)-based speech-generating device (SGD) versus a non-electronic AAC system, as well as preferences regarding the systems. In all, 115 first graders were randomly assigned to view a video of a peer using either the SGD or the non-electronic system. Participants then completed the Assessment of Attitudes Toward Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AATAAC) and answered preference questions about the systems. Results showed that attitudes toward the peer did not vary significantly as a function of the type of AAC system the peer used. Girls tended to have more positive attitudes than boys toward the peer who used AAC. A majority of participants preferred the SGD for their peer's and for their own use.