Fig. 2.

LPS leads to pyroptosis and IL-1β expression of gingival fibroblasts in vitro. a Gingival fibroblasts were treated with LPS (1 μg/ml) for 24 h. The mRNA level of TLR2 and TLR4 were measured by RT-PCR. b Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined by DCFH-DA staining (bar = 100 µm). c Gingival fibroblasts were treated with LPS for 6 and 24 h. Protein expressions of IKKβ (phosphorylated and total), p65 NF-κB (phosphorylated and total), NLRP3, caspase 1 (pro- and cleaved p10), caspase 3 (pro- and cleaved p20), and IL-1β were measured by western blot. Cleaved p10 caspase-1 is depicted as C-cas1. Band intensities were assessed using Quantity One. Data (n = 3) are shown as means ± SEM. d Gingival fibroblasts were treated with LPS (1 μg/ml) for 24 h and 14 d. IL-1β mRNA level was measured by real-time PCR. (n = 3) (E) Gingival fibroblasts were treated with LPS for 24 h, exogenously secreted IL-1β was measured by ELISA. (n ≥ 4; student’s t test, *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; ****P < 0.0001)