NLRP3 or ASC deficiency abrogates the sensitization capacity of BMDCs and is not restored by alum pretreatment. (A and B) NLRP3−/−, P2X7−/−, and WT BMDCs (A) or ASC−/− and WT BMDCs (B) were TNBS modified and alum pretreated where indicated, and the experiment was performed as described in Fig. 2. The data represent the mean increase in ear thickness of groups of five mice ± SD. One representative of three (NLRP3) and two (ASC) independent experiments is shown (**, P < 0.005; ***, P < 0.001). (C) NLRP3−/− and WT BMDCs were treated with 0.1 µg/ml LPS, 1.25 mM ATP, 80 µg/ml alum, or the indicated combination of two stimuli for 12 h. IL-1β secretion was determined by ELISA. Data represent the mean of triplicate measurements ± SD and are representative for two independent experiments (*, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.005; ***, P < 0.001).
