Induction of NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation by Heme in Human Endothelial Cells

Figure 1

Heme induces neutrophil and monocyte infiltration and IL-1β secretion in vivo. (a–c) C57BL/6 mice were injected (i.p.) with heme (75, 150, or 300 nmol/mice) or PBS ( in all groups). Peritoneal cavity was rinsed, and neutrophil and inflammatory monocytes/macrophage numbers were determined after 16 h of treatment. (a) Representative dot plots of peritoneal cells stained with Ly-6G and 7/4. (b) Mean number of Ly-6G high and 7/4 high PMN cells. (c) Mean number of Ly-6G low and 7/4 high inflammatory monocytes/macrophages. (d) C57BL/6 mice were injected (i.p.) with heme (300 mmol/kg body weight) or vehicle. Peritoneal cavity was rinsed, and the active IL-1β level was determined in the supernatant by ELISA ( in both groups). (e) C57BL/6 mice were injected (i.p.) with LPS (100 μg/mice), heme (300 nmol/mice), and LPS + heme or PBS ( in all groups). Peritoneal cavity was rinsed, and total numbers of leukocytes was counted after 16 h of treatment. Data represent mean ± SD; , , and .

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