Microarray detection of <i>NLRPs</i> in human oocytes and embryos showed two different expression patterns.

<p>A: <i>NLRP4, 5, 8, 9, 11,12, 13 and14</i> were highly expressed in oocytes and then gradually decreased in embryos with a very low level in day5 (D5) embryos. B: <i>NLRP2</i> and <i>NLRP</i>7 progressively decreased from oocytes to day 3(D3) embryos then showed a sharp increase in D5. Error bars = SEM (standard error of the mean).</p

Expression of NLRP5, 9, 12, 7 in day 3 (D3) and day5 (D5) abnormal embryos.

<p>D3 stop dev. =  Embryos stop develop at D3; D5 stop dev. =  Embryos stop develop at D5. A: the expression levels of <i>NLRP5, 9, 12 and 7</i> in development arrested D3 embryos were higher than in normal D3 embryos. B: the expression levels of <i>NLRP5, 9 and 12</i> in development arrested D5 embryos were much higher than in normal D5 embryos, but the expression level of <i>NLRP 7</i> in development arrested D5 embryos was much lower than in normal ones. Error bars = SEM (standard error of the mean).</p

RT-PCR detection of NLRPs in human oocytes and embryos showed two expression patterns.

<p>A: <i>NLRP4, 5, 8, 9, 11,12, 13 and 14</i> were highly expressed in oocytes and then gradually decreased in embryos with a very low level in day5 (D5) embryos. B: <i>NLRP2</i> and <i>NLRP</i>7 progressively decreased from oocytes to day 3(D3) embryos, then showed a sharp increase in D5. Error bars = SEM (standard error of the mean).</p

Phylogenetic analysis of the NLRP family.

<p>Homology of NLRP members between mouse and human was high, except for NLRP8. Figure showed three clusters: (1) Nalp2 and NALP7; (2) NLRP 11, 4, 9, 5, 13, 14, 8; (3) NLRP1, 6, 10, 3. The clustering of the NLRP members fits well with their expression patterns in human oocytes and embryos.</p

Detection of of <i>NLRPs</i> in human gametes and embryos by PCR.

<p>PCR products were about 70 bp in GV, MI, MII oocytes, day2 (D2), day 3(D3), day 5(D5) embryos and spermatozoa (S). M: marker. <i>NLRP1</i> was detected in GV, MI, MII oocytes and D2 embryos, but not in later stages. <i>NLRP2, 4, 7, 11, 12 and 14</i> were detected in all samples. <i>NLRP3</i> was only detected in GV, MI oocytes and spermatozoa. <i>NLRP5, 8, 9, 13</i> were detected in all oocytes and embryos, but not in spermatozoa. <i>NLPR6</i> was only detected in spermatozoa and <i>NLRP10</i> was not detected in any gametes or embryos (figure not shown).</p

Primers for NLRPs used in this study

<p>Primers for NLRPs used in this study</p

Expression of NLRP5, 9, 12, 7 in day 1 abnormal embryos, RT-PCR results.

<p>Unfert. Oocyte =  Unfertilized oocytes at day 1; 1PN =  fertilized oocyte with 1 pronucleus at day 1; (3PN) =  fertilized oocytes with 3 pronuclei at day 1. The expression levels of NLRP5, 9, 12 and 7 in day 1 abnormal embryos were lower than in normal ones. Error bars = SEM (standard error of the mean).</p

LD map and characteristics of the studied <i>NPSR1</i> SNPs.

<p>Left: LD and haplotype block structure obtained by Haploview 4 analysis of genotyping data from the EIRA population. The numbers in each box correspond to R-square values between SNPs. Right: SNPs are listed based on their relative distance in bp and their position in both the <i>NPSR1</i> gene and its corresponding mRNA).</p

Association between <i>NPSR1</i> SNPs and rheumatoid arthritis in ACPA-negative patients vs controls.

#<p>Minor allele in lower case.</p>§<p>MAF  =  minor allele frequency.</p><p>°Minor allele is the tested allele.</p><p>*significant after Bonferroni correction for multiple testing.</p

Association between <i>NPSR1</i> SNPs and DAS28 in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

#<p>Minor allele in lower case.</p>§<p>A  =  major allele: a  =  minor allele.</p><p>°Minor allele is the tested allele.</p><p>*significant after Bonferroni correction for multiple testing.</p