FIGURE 6.

ASC expression is inversely correlated with IFN-β levels in PBMCs from TB patients. IFN-β and ASC expression in PBMCs from healthy donors (n = 5) and TB patients (n = 10) was examined by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) (A and B), and their correlation was assessed with the Pearson test (C). (D) GD of M. tuberculosis can be recognized by the AIM2–IL-1β signaling pathway and the STING–type I IFN signaling pathway. Activated ASC interacts with STING and blocks the activation of downstream molecules TBK1 and IRF3, thus inhibiting the induction of IFN-β. The results are shown as mean ± SEM. *p < 0.05, Student t test.