Fig. 3.

LPS upregulates MUC1 expression, activates the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway, and causes NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis and inflammation in vitro. BEAS-2B cells were stimulated with LPS (5 µg/mL) for 24 h. (A) The mRNA expression levels of MUC1 were detected via RT-qPCR. (B–D) The protein expression levels of MUC1, TLR4, MyD88, p-p65, p65, NLRP3, caspase-1, cleaved caspase-1, GSDMD, GSDMD-N, IL-18, and IL-1β were determined via immunoblotting. (E) LDH release into the culture medium was detected using LDH release assay. (F) The mRNA expression levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-18, IL-1β, and TNF-α were detected using RT-qPCR. Data are expressed as mean ± SD (n = 3) and were analyzed using student t-test; *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001; and ****p < 0.0001. LPS = lipopolysaccharide. LDH = lactate dehydrogenase