Figure 4: Caspase 1 expression is reduced in response to LXR activation.
From: The nuclear receptor LXR modulates interleukin-18 levels in macrophages through multiple mechanisms
BMDM were treated with vehicle (DMSO), GW3965, LXR antagonist (LXR ant) or LPS as indicated in Fig. 3A. (a) Caspase 1 mRNA expression was analyzed by RT-qPCR. Values indicate expression normalized to cyclophilin and are presented relative to the expression in LPS-treated cells. Values represent the mean ± SEM (n = 3–4). t-test: *p > 0.05, ns p > 0.05. (b) Caspase 1 mRNA levels in BMDM from WT and LXRα β −/− mice were analyzed by RT-qPCR. Shown is a representative experiment performed in triplicate (mean ± SD) t-test: *p ≤ 0.05, ns p > 0.05. (c) BMDM were treated with or without GW3965 and LPS for the final 6 hours with addition of ATP for the last 2 hours. Pro-caspase 1, cleaved caspase 1 and NLRP3 protein content were analyzed by immunoblotting and Hsp90 levels were used as loading control. (d) NLRP3 mRNA expression in LXR-ligand treated BMDM was analysed as in B. Shown is a representative experiment of 3 (mean ± SD). (e) NLRP3 protein levels were analyzed by immunoblotting. For (c,e), representative experiments of 2–3 independent assays are shown.
