Fig 2: mRNA expression levels of CMPK2, NLRP3 and inflammatory factors in H/R model of RAW 264.7 cells. (A) The mRNA levels of CMPK2 were measured at different time points after reoxygenation. The mRNA expression levels of (B) NLRP3, (C) TNF-a, (D) IL-1ß and (E) IL-18 were detected following H/R treatment. *P<0.05, **P<0.01 vs. control groups. CMPK2, cytidine monophosphate kinase 2; NLRP3, NLR family pyrin domain containing 3; H/R, hypoxia/reoxygenation.

Fig 3: Knockdown of CMPK2 decreased the NLRP3-associated inflammation factor. (A) Protein detection of CMPK2 after H/R treatment in scramble siRNA or CMPK2 siRNA-transfected RAW 264.7 cells. (B) Western blotting and subsequent quantification of (C) CMPK2, (D) NLRP3, (E) AIM2, (F) pro-IL-1ß, (G) cleaved-caspase-1 (H) IL-1ß and (I) IL-18 protein levels. (J) IL-18 and IL-1ß levels in the supernatant were detected by ELISA. **P<0.01, ***P<0.001 vs. control group, #P<0.05, &&P<0.01 vs. H/R group. CMPK2, cytidine monophosphate kinase 2; NLRP3, NLR family pyrin domain containing 3; H/R, hypoxia/reoxygenation; siRNA, small interfering RNA; AIM2, absent in melanoma 2.

Fig 4: Effect of H3 relaxin treatment on inflammation and apoptosis in retinas of diabetic rats. (A) The expression of IL-1ß at 4 and 8 weeks in the plasma of diabetic rats. (B) The expression of IL-18 at 4 and 8 weeks in the plasma of diabetic rats. (C) The expression of TNF-a at 4 and 8 weeks in the plasma of diabetic rats. (D) The expression of VEGF at 4 and 8 weeks in the plasma of diabetic rats. (E) The protein expression of NLRP3 inflammasome and inflammatory cytolines at 4 and 8 weeks were evaluated by western blot. (F) The expression of apoptosis-related protein at 4 and 8 weeks were evaluated by western blot. Data are the means ± SD, and each measurement was repeated six times. # p < 0.05 vs. Control group, ## p < 0.01 vs. Control group, *p < 0.05 vs. Diabetic group, **p < 0.01 vs. Diabetic group.

Fig 5: Suppression of CMPK2 alleviates I/R-induced deterioration of hepatic injury. (A) Protein detection of CMPK2 in liver tissue. Secretion of (B) IL-18 and (C) IL-1ß was measured by ELISA. Hepatocellular function of experimental mice was evaluated by detecting the release of (D) AST and (E) ALT. (F and G) Histological changes of the liver in the sham, I/R, I/R + scramble siRNA and I/R + CMPK2 siRNA groups. Original magnification, x200. **P<0.01, ***P<0.001 vs. sham group; #P<0.05, ##P<0.01 vs. I/R group. CMPK2, cytidine monophosphate kinase 2; NLRP3, NLR family pyrin domain containing 3; I/R, ischemia/reperfusion; siRNA, small interfering RNA; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase.