NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis is regulated by the SNHG7/miR-34a/SIRT1 axis in HCC. mRNA expression levels of (A) SIRT1, (B) NLRP3, (C) caspase-1 and (D) IL-1β were determined by RT-qPCR. (E) Protein expression levels of SIRT1, NLRP3, caspase-1 and IL-1β were determined by western blotting. (F) DNA fragmentation was assessed using the TUNEL assay. Blue indicates DAPI nuclear staining and green indicates TUNEL staining (scale bar, 50 µm). (G) Pyroptotic cell death was determined by quantifying LDH release in the cell culture media. *P<0.05 and **P<0.01 vs. the corresponding control. NLRP3, NLR pyrin domain containing 3; SNHG7, small nucleolar RNA host gene 7; miR, microRNA; SIRT1, sirtuin 1; HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma; IL-1β, interleukin-1β; RT-qPCR, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase; si, small interfering RNA; NC, negative control.