In this study, after pathogenic E. coli infection of macrophages in vitro, the intracellular mRNA levels of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18 were higher than those in the control group, with an overall increase in levels observed initially followed by decreased expression, which was consistent with previous reports. The gene discussed is NLRP3; the disease is escherichia coli infection.