Fig. 8. MMP9 is required for H₂O₂-induced activation of pyroptosis in hCSCs.

Both hCSCs and MMP9^−/− hCSCs were incubated with/without hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) for 24 h, and evaluated for pyroptosis. a, b Western blotting and densitometric analysis of NLRP3 and gasdermine D (GSDMD) proteins. Values are expressed as mean ± SEM. β-actin is a loading control. Each dot represents one sample. One-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc test was used. P < 0.05 is considered statistically significant. c Schematic showing the effects of hyperglycemic microenvironment on ROS production, MMP9 induction and subsequent initiation of apoptosis and pyroptosis in hCSCs, which are prevented by lack of MMP9.