NLRP3 activation involves in the protective effect of A. muciniphila on colitis. (A and B) Representative pictures of alcian blue- and PAS-stained colon tissues in the PBS and A. muciniphila groups with DSS treatment. (C and D) The relative mRNA expression levels of MUC2 and MUC3 in the mice with or without A. muciniphila treatment were examined by q-PCR. (E to G) The relative mRNA expression levels of TNF-α, MCP-1, and IL-6 in the DSS mouse colon tissues were tested by q-PCR. (H) The relative mRNA expression levels of NLRP3 in the mouse colon tissue were examined by q-PCR. n = 5 per group. (I and J) The relative expression levels of casepase-1, casepase-1 p20, IL-1β, and IL-1β p17 were measured by Western blotting. Data are expressed as the mean ± SD; n = 3 per group. *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01 (unpaired Student’s t test). Akk, Akkermansia muciniphila.