Fig. 3.

ERS induces NLRP3/CASP-1-dependent pyroptosis and SESN2 expression in DCs. A, Western blotting was used to measure the expression of ERS markers (GRP78, ATF4, and CHOP) in DCs at 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, or 72 h post CLP. B, Primary DCs were treated with 2 μg/ml TM for 24 h, and Western blotting was used to evaluate the expression of SESN2, NLRP3 inflammasome components, and ERS markers. C, Assays were performed 24 h after the mice were intraperitoneally administered physiological saline or TM (2 mg/kg body weight). Immunoblots of SESN2, NLRP3 inflammasome components, and ERS markers are shown. The values are protein levels relative to the β-actin levels. The data are representative of 3 independent experiments (5 mice were pooled together for each independent experiment). D, DC pyroptosis was assessed by flow cytometry after treatment with 2 μg/ml TM for 24 h in vitro, DCs were labeled with active CASP-1 (FAM-FLICA) and 7-AAD. Representative flow cytometry plots are shown on the left, and quantitative analysis of FLICA⁺ 7AAD⁺ DCs is shown on the right (n = 4). Statistical significance: ^*P < 0.05 versus the control group