Fig. 3

Nlrp1 knockdown inhibits AEW-induced scratching behavior. a The scheme of AAV-shRNA infusion and AEW-induced dry skin itch. b Fluorescence images that expressed AAV-Nlrp1a-shRNA-EGFP in the spinal cord 28 days after infusion. Scale bar = 200 μm for the sagittal section (left). Scale bar = 100 μm for the cross section (right). Western blotting results confirming the knockdown efficacy of AAV-Nlrp1a-shRNA, n = 3. c Statistical results showing Nlrp1 knockdown reduced AEW-induced increase in the number of spontaneous scratches, n = 10. d, e Representative HE staining images and statistical results showing Nlrp1 knockdown reduced AEW-induced increase in the thickness of nucleated epidermal layers, n = 10. Scale bar = 100 μm. f–i Representative immunoreactive bands and statistical results showing Nlrp1 knockdown reduced AEW-induced increase in the expression of ASC, caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18. n = 6, Data are expressed as means ± SEM, ^*P < 0.05 and ^**P < 0.01 vs control group; ^#P < 0.05 vs AEW group