NLRP3 and escherichia coli infection: Our findings indicate that pathogenic E. coli HPI infection of Saba pigs causes pyroptosis of macrophages characterized by upregulated expression of pyroptosis key factors in the NLRP3/ASC/caspase-1 signaling pathway, direct cell membrane pore formation, and secretion of the inflammatory factor IL-1β and IL-18 downstream of NLRP3 and caspase-1 activation to enhance the inflammatory response.