Fig. 5.

Anti-dsDNA antibodies stimulated the activation of inflammasome in vivo and impaired the balance of Th17/Treg. Anti-dsDNA antibodies isolated from active SLE patients, vehicle or control IgG from healthy patients were injected into female (NZB × NZW) F1 mice (n = 8) twice. Spleens and blood were collected 7 days later. a The activation of inflammasome in monocytes was measured by flow cytometry. Cells were gated on CD11b⁺ cells. Anti-dsDNA antibodies activated the inflammasome in vivo as compared to control IgG or vehicle. b The concentration of IL-1β in the serum was significantly higher in the serum of anti-dsDNA antibody-injected mice compared to control IgG or vehicle-injected mice. c Serum concentration of IL-17A was also significantly higher in anti-dsDNA antibody-injected mice. d, e The frequency of Th17 cells was significantly higher in anti-dsDNA antibody-injected mice as compared to control IgG or vehicle-injected mice. f, g The frequency of CD4⁺Foxp3⁺ Treg cells was significantly lower in anti-dsDNA antibody-injected mice as compared to control IgG or vehicle-injected mice. **p < 0.001. α-dsDNA anti-dsDNA antibodies