Figure 7: In vivo role of ASC in LeTx-challenged mice.
(a–d) B6 (n=9), B6Nlrp1b+ (n=7) and B6Nlrp1b+ASC−/− mice (n=10) were injected intraperitoneally with LeTx (100 μg PA and LF, respectively), and spleen and serum were collected 3 h later. Spleen (a) and serum samples (b) were immunoblotted for the indicated proteins. Ponceau staining was performed as loading control for serum samples (b). Circulating IL-1β (c) and IL-18 (d) levels in serum was determined by ELISA, with each dot representing an individual mouse. Statistical significance was determined by Student’s t-test and P-values are indicated. (e) B6 (n=11), B6Nlrp1b+ (n=9) and B6Nlrp1b+ASC−/− (n=10) mice were injected intraperitoneally with a lethal dose of LeTx (200 μg PA and LF, respectively) and survival was monitored over time. Statistical significance was determined by Kaplan–Meier analysis and P-values were as follows: B6 vs B6Nlrp1b+, P=0.0096; B6 vs B6Nlrp1b+ASC−/−, P=0.0086; B6Nlrp1b+ vs B6Nlrp1b+ASC−/−, P=0.79 (non-significant). (f) Schematic model depicting the putative role of ASC in Nlrp1b inflammasome signalling in LeTx-challenged macrophages and mice.
