Interestingly, the protection from IAV-induced inflammatory response was significantly associated with a decreased amount of NLRP3 inflammasome components, and the concentrations of IL-1β and IL-18 were decreased in BALF after MCC950 treatment compared to the concentrations in COPD rats with IAV infection (Fig. 6). The gene discussed is IL1B; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.