Figure 13.

Putative model for the protective effects of DHA against nigericin- and cSiO₂-induced inflammasome activation, IL-1 cytokine release, and death in MΦs. DHA inhibits nigericin- and cSiO₂-induced inflammasome activation as measured by IL-1β maturation and release and caspase-1 activation. DHA also suppresses nigericin- and cSiO₂-induced IL-1α cleavage and release and cell death. Cell death is wholly suppressed by DHA in nigericin-treated MΦs but only partially suppressed in cSiO₂-treated MΦs. Collectively, these inhibitory effects are linked to suppression of genes (Nlrp3, Il1b, and Il1a) regulated by the transcription factor NF-κB.