NLRP3 and systemic lupus erythematosus: In C57BL/6lpr/lpr mice, which develop mild lupus, deficiency of NLRP3 or ASC exacerbates pathology marked by an increase in activated macrophages and DC and production of proinflammatory cytokines, and T and B cell proliferation but no effect is seen on autoantibody production (240).