Corticosterone Inhibits LPS-Induced NLRP3 Inflammasome Priming in Macrophages by Suppressing Xanthine Oxidase

Figure 5

Protein levels of NLRP3 and XO and XO activity in RAW264.7 cells treated with different combinations of LPS, CORT, allopurinol, and RU486. The control group received no treatment. In the LPS group, cells were stimulated with LPS (1 μg/ml) for 2 h. Cells were pretreated with CORT (700 ng/ml) for 1 h and stimulated with LPS (1 μg/ml) for 2 h in the CORT group. In the allopurinol group, cells were pretreated with allopurinol (250 μg/ml) for 1 h and stimulated with LPS (1 μg/ml) for 2 h. Cells were pretreated with RU486 (1 μM) for 1 h, CORT (700 ng/ml) for additional 1 h, and then LPS (1 μg/ml) for 2 h in the RU486 group. (a) Western blots showing NLRP3 and XO expressions. (b) Statistical chart showing relative NLRP3 expression. Statistical charts showing (c) relative XO expression and (d) XO activity. Values are mean (s.d.) (). , versus the LPS group; ^# versus the CORT group.

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