Fig. 6: ASC deficiency blocked nicotine-induced endothelial cells pyroptosis.
From: Nicotine promotes atherosclerosis via ROS-NLRP3-mediated endothelial cell pyroptosis
a Verification of silencing efficiency of ASC by siRNA in nicotine-treated HAECs. b The protein levels of Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 in nicotine-treated HAECs were decreased after transfection of siASC. NC indicates negative control. c The mRNA levels of Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 in nicotine-treated HAECs were decreased after transfection of siASC. (n = 4). *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001. d TUNEL (red) and caspase-1 (green) double-positive cells were reduced by siASC in the presence of nicotine. Magnification: ×200. Scale bar denotes 100 μm. e Pyroptotic cell death was determined by LDH release, and the relative LDH activity was suppressed by ASC siRNA (n = 3). **P < 0.01. f The percentage of PI positive cells was declined after transfection with siASC in nicotine-treated HAECs. (left: the representative photographs, right: the quantification of PI positive cells). Magnification: ×200. Scale bar = 500 μm. **P < 0.01. The data are represented as mean ± SEM (n = 4)
