FIGURE 11.

siNLRP3 prevented albumin-induced cell apoptosis and cell phenotypic alteration in mPTC. A, Hoechst 33258 staining. The arrows indicate chromatin condensation and fragmentation. B, TUNEL staining. The arrows indicate TUNEL-positive signals. C, quantification of apoptotic cells by flow cytometry. D–F, qRT-PCR analysis of E-cadherin (D), α-SMA (E), and vimentin (F) expressions. Confluent mPTCs were transfected with siNlrp3 for 48 h and then incubated with albumin (10 mg/ml) for an additional 24 h. The values represent the means ± S.D. (n = 6). *, p < 0.01 versus vehicle (Vehi); #, p < 0.01 versus albumin group. Cntl, control.