Fig. 3

5-FU treatment induced expression of NLRP3 and IL-1β in vitro and in vivo. WSU-HN6 and CAL27 cells were treated with 10 μM 5-FU for 0, 24 and 48 h. mRNA expression of NLRP3 (a) and pro-IL-1β (b) was quantified by qPCR. Protein levels of NLRP3 (c) and IL-1β (d) in both cells were determined by western blot. (e) Representative image of tumors from OSCC xenografted nude mice with or without 5-FU treatment. f Tumor volumes of mice treated with or without 5-FU. g Immunohistochemistry indicated highly elevated expression of NLRP3 and IL-1β in tumors of 5-FU-treated mice (original magnification 200×). Three mice were included for each group, and the results are representative of three experiments (**P < 0.01)