When we analyzed the gene expression in uninfected and infected HMVEC-d cells, a significant increase in caspase-1 gene expression from 2 to 24 h post-infection (p.i.), significant induction of the ASC gene only at 24 h p.i., a slight but not significant increase in IFI16 gene expression, and no increase in NLRP-1, NLRP3 and AIM2 genes were observed [11]. Here, IFI16 is linked to infection.