Fig. 3

NLRP3 inhibition with MCC950 efficiently ameliorates intestinal injury and improves NEC survival in mice. a Survival rate of mice in control, NEC, and NEC+MCC950 groups (n = 15–29 mice per group). b H&E staining (×20) and histological score of intestinal sections from differently treated mice as described above. c Western blot analysis of NLRP3, cleaved caspase-1, pro IL-1β, and mature IL-1β in intestinal homogenates. The relative band intensity was quantified (control, n = 3; NEC, n = 4; NEC+MCC950, n = 4). d Relative mRNA expression of IL-6 and TNF-α in intestine (n = 5–6 mice per group). Data are presented as mean ± SEM. **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001 vs. control group; ##p < 0.01, ###p < 0.001 vs. NEC group