Fig. 3

NLRP3 regulated the expression of occludin via NF-κB/MMP-8 in vitro. A The nuclear accumulation of NF-κB was detected in TM4 cells after PA incubation for 24 h (n = 6). B The nuclear accumulation of NF-κB was detected in TM4 cells at 48 h after NLRP3 overexpression (n = 6). C The luciferase assay revealed the binding of NF-κB to the promoter of MMP-8 in TM4 cells after PA incubation for 24 h (n = 6). D–E MMP-8 mRNA and expression in TM4 cells after PA incubation for 24 h (n = 6). F MMP-8 expression in isolated NLRP3-deficient SCs after PA incubation for 24 h (n = 4–5). G, H MMP-8 mRNA and expression in TM4 cells after NLRP3 overexpression (n = 6). I The protein expression of occludin in TM4 cells at 48 h after SN50 or MMP-8 blocking peptide incubation (n = 6). J Transepithelial electrical resistance was detected in TM4 cells at 48 h after SN50 or MMP-8 blocking peptide incubation (n = 6). Data are presented as the mean ± SD. For B, C and G, H, the statistical analysis was carried out by Student’s two-tailed t test; for others, statistical analysis was carried out by one-way ANOVA. *P < 0.05 vs the matched control