Fig. 6.

Less mechanical loading (ML) reduced the NACHT, LRR, and PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3)/caspase 1/interleukin 1β (IL-1β) expression in the cartilage of an osteoarthritis (OA) rat. a) The transcriptional level of NLRP3, caspase-1, and IL-1β was lower in the less ML group than in the normal ML group. b) Furthermore, extensive immunostaining of NLRP3, caspase-1, and IL-1β in normal ML OA cartilage was noted, whereas fewer immune-positive cells could be found in the less ML OA cartilage. The presentative images were selected from weight-bearing area of tibial cartilage. c) The percentage of immunopositive cells of NLRP3, caspase-1, and IL-1β in the less ML group was significantly lower than that of the normal ML group. Scale bar: 50 μm. Values are presented as mean standard error of the mean (SEM). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used, *p < 0.05; †p < 0.01; ‡p < 0.001, between OA rats with normal and less ML. §p < 0.05; ¶p < 0.01; **p < 0.001, between sham controls and OA rats with normal ML. Magnification in Fig. 6b: 200×.