An up-regulated levels of NLRP3, NAIP, NLRC4, ASC and caspase-1 gene expression at mRNA and protein levels and an up-regulation in the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IFN-γ, MCP-1, and TNF-α) levels were found in UPEC infected UTI patients and could be a key factor for the development of this disease. Here, TNF is linked to bacterial urinary tract infection.