A key role for NLRP3 signaling in preterm labor and birth driven by the alarmin S100B

Decidual and uterine macrophages as well as neutrophils from Nlrp3+/+ and Nlrp3-/- mice injected with S100B or PBS were sorted and analyzed using pair-end BGI RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to evaluate the effect of Nlrp3 deficiency on the transcriptome of these innate immune cells in preterm birth. Overall design: The study included Nlrp3+/+ dams intra-amniotically injected with S100B, Nlrp3+/+ dams intra-amniotically injected with PBS, Nlrp3-/- dams intra-amniotically injected with S100B, and Nlrp3-/- dams intra-amniotically injected with PBS. Decidual and uterine macrophages and neutrophils were sorted by fluorescence activated cell sorting. The number of samples analyzed were as follows: Macrophages, n = 3 each, Neutrophils, n = 2 each.