Fig. 4

NLRP3 knockdown decreases OSCC cell viability. WSU-HN6 and CAL27 OSCC cell lines were transfected with NLRP3 or control shRNA. Total RNA and protein were obtained. a mRNA expression of NLRP3 was determined by qPCR. b Protein expression of NLRP3 and IL-1β was determined by western blot. c IC50 values of 5-FU in WSU-HN6 and CAL27 cells were examined using the MTT assay. d Viability of shcontrol and shNLRP3 OSCC cell lines with various concentrations of 5-FU treatment (0 μM, 5 μM, 10 μM, 20 μM, 50 μM and 100 μM) for 48 h was determined. e Viability of shcontrol and shNLRP3 OSCC cell lines with/without 5-FU treatment (5 μM) was detected at different time points (0 h, 12 h, 24 h, 36 h, 48 h, 60 h and 72 h). Data are representative of three experiments (*P < 0.05, **P < 0.01)