Inflammasome components NLRP3, ASC and caspase-1 are expressed in microglia, but not in astrocytes.

<p>mRNA and/or protein expression of inflammasome components and substrates NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4, ASC (Pycard), Aim-2, Caspase-1, Caspase-4, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-18 and HMGB1, were studied in mouse microglia, astrocytes, or bone-marrow derived macrophages (BMDM) after 6 hours of stimulation with LPS or Complete Cytokine Mix. RNA was extracted and analyzed for gene expression, relative to <i>L27</i>, by Real-Time PCR (<b>A, C, D</b>). Bar graphs shown represent the mean ± SD. (<b>B</b>) NLRP3, ASC and Caspase-1 expression were analyzed by Western Blot and α-Tubulin was used as loading control. (<b>E</b>) Microglia were analyzed by immunofluorescence for the expression of Iba1, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, HMGB1 and IL-1β, nuclei are stained by DAPI, scale bar: 50μm. Data shown are the mean ± SD of at least three independent experiments. *p<0.05 compared to control (ctrl).