Fig. 3

Cx32 knockout suppressed NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in mice with I/R-induced AKI. A Representative H&E-stained kidney sections and kidney injury scores. Scale bar = 50 μM. WT: wild-type; I/R: renal ischemia/reperfusion; Cx32^−/−: Cx32 knockout mice. * p < 0.05 vs. sham; # p < 0.05 vs. WT + I/R group. Data are means ± SEM (n = 5). B Serum creatinine and BUN levels in different groups. * p < 0.05 vs. sham; # p < 0.05 vs. WT + I/R group. Data are means ± SEM (n = 5). C RT-qPCR analysis of NLRP3 expression in renal tissue. * p < 0.05 vs. sham; # p < 0.05 vs. WT + I/R group. Data are means ± SEM (n = 5). D Western blot analysis of NLRP3, GSDMD, and GSDMD-N expression in kidney lysates at different reperfusion times. * p < 0.05 vs. WT + I/R group. Data are means ± SEM (n = 3). E Immunofluorescence results of NLRP3 expression in kidneys reperfused for 24 h. Scale bar = 50 μM. F Concentration of IL-18 and IL-1β in serum analyzed by ELISA. * p < 0.05 vs. sham; # p < 0.05 vs. WT + I/R group. Data are means ± SEM (n = 5)