Induction of NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation by Heme in Human Endothelial Cells

Figure 2

Heme induces IL-1β maturation and secretion in HUVECs. (a) LPS-primed (10 μg/mL, 24 h) or nonprimed HUVECs were exposed to heme (10, 25, and 50 μmol/L in 1% FBS, 4 h) or ATP (5 mmol/L). IL-1β mRNA levels were determined by qRT-PCR. (b) LPS-primed (0.1, 1, and 10 μg/mL, 24 h) or nonprimed HUVECs were exposed to heme (25 μmol/L in 1% FBS, 4 h). IL-1β mRNA levels were determined by qRT-PCR. (c) LPS-primed (10 μg/mL, 24 h) or nonprimed HUVECs were exposed to heme (10, 25, and 50 μmol/L in 1% FBS, 24 h). Secreted IL-1β levels were determined by ELISA from the cellular supernatant. (d) LPS-primed (0.1, 1, and 10 μg/mL, 24 h) or nonprimed HUVECs were exposed to heme (25 μmol/L in 1% FBS, 24 h). Secreted IL-1β levels were determined by ELISA from the cellular supernatant. (e) Cells were treated as in (c), and cellular viability was assessed by MTT assay. Results are shown as mean ± SD () from one representative experiment of three. , , and .

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