P2X₇ Blockade Attenuates Murine Lupus Nephritis by Inhibiting Activation of the NLRP3/ASC/Caspase 1 Pathway

Objective The NLRP3 inflammasome plays key roles in inflammation and autoimmunity, and purinergic receptor P2X 7 has been proposed to be upstream of NLRP3 activation. The aim of the present study, using murine models, was to investigate whether the P2X 7 /NLRP3 inflammasome pathway contributes to the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis (LN). Methods MRL/ lpr mice were treated with the selective P2X 7 antagonist brilliant blue G (BBG) for 8 weeks....