NLRP3 and dry eye syndrome: For NLRP3 inflammasome activation, the expression of IL-1β, IL-18, the NLRP3 inflammasome and ACS as well as caspase-1 separated from pro-caspase-1 in KCs over-expressing Foxo3a were all significantly lower than in KCs treated with PA and LPS alone (Figure 2D and 2E).