NLRP3 and systemic lupus erythematosus: In view of the heightened expression of inflammatory factors, especially IL‐1β and IL‐18, which are key downstream effectors of pyroptosis, observed in the cartilage of SLE‐affected mice [18, 19], as well as in the progression of arthritis [39], we further investigated the activation of pyroptotic pathways in the cartilage of SLE‐affected mice by examining the expression of key pyroptosis‐related proteins, including NLRP3, ASC, CASPASE‐1 and GSDMD.