PMC

NLRP3 and its adaptor, ASC, are expressed in eye tissue and are responsible for IL-1β production. a Relative expression levels of NLRP3 and ASC in eye homogenates at 5 h post LPS injection were assessed by immunoblotting. Images are representative of three individual mice/treatment group (a total of six individual mice/treatment group were examined). b IL-1β production was measured by ELISA in WT and NLRP3 KO mice injected with LPS or saline. *p < 0.05 comparison between LPS and saline within a genotype, ^ψp < 0.05 comparison between LPS-treated WT and LPS-treated NLRP3 KO mice (n = 8 mice/treatment group/genotype)

Production of IL-1β in the eye requires caspase-1. Regulation of IL-1β production and caspase-1 (casp-1) expression within eye tissue were examined 5 h following LPS or saline injection. a Expression of caspase-1 and its cleaved form were examined by immunoblotting, and b the relative intensity of cleaved caspase-1 compared with its pro-form is depicted graphically. Images are representative of three individual mice/treatment group (a total of six individual mice/treatment group were examined). c IL-1β production in eye tissue was measured by ELISA in wild-type (WT) and caspase- 1 KO mice injected with LPS or saline. *p < 0.05 comparison between LPS and saline within a genotype, ^ψp < 0.05 comparison between LPS-treated WT and LPS-treated caspase-1 KO mice (n = 8–10 mice/treatment group/genotype)

Mice with NLRP3 deficiency do not exhibit altered EIU. NLRP3 KO mice or WT congenic controls were challenged with LPS, and ocular inflammation was assessed histologically 5 h later. a Quantification of the number of infiltrating cells present in the aqueous humor of the anterior eye segment or the vitreous body of the posterior eye segment. b Representative images of the anterior chamber of the eyes of LPS-challenged NLRP3 KO and a congenic, control mouse. There was no significant difference between genotypes (n = 10–12 mice/treatment group/genotype)

Severity of EIU is not altered by caspase-1 deficiency. Caspase-1 KO mice or WT congenic controls were challenged with LPS, and ocular inflammatory responses were measured at 5 h following injection. a Intravital microscopy demonstrates the number of rolling and adhering leukocytes within the iris vasculature along with the number of infiltrating cells within the iris tissue. *p < 0.05 comparison between LPS and saline within a genotype. b Histological assessment of uveitis was performed, and the infiltrating cells present within the aqueous humor of the anterior segment and vitreous body of the posterior eye segment were quantified. c Representative images of the anterior segment of eyes of LPS-challenged caspase-1 KO and congenic control mouse. There was no significant difference between genotypes (n = 10–12 mice/treatment group/genotype)