Fig. 4

Downregulation of SMAD2 aggravates FLS-RA pyroptosis. A, B siRNA-SMAD2 was transfected into FLS-RA, and the expression of SMAD2 was detected by Western blot (NC stands for negative control siRNA). C, D FLS-RA were treated with nigericin by the concentration of 10 µM for 24h accompanied with siRNA-SMAD2 or not, the expression of ASC, NLRP3 were detected by Western blot. E, F Apoptosis rate of FLS-RA was detected by flow cytometry in three groups. G, H The percentage of caspase-1 positive FLS was detected by flow cytometry in three groups. The experiment was repeated three times and statistical data was presented as mean ± SD. In B, * means comparison between control and siRNA2 groups. In Fig4D.F.H, * means comparison between Control and Nigericin groups. # means comparison between nigericin and nigericin+siRNA2 groups. * ,# P<0.05