The NLRP3 inhibitor, MCC950, attenuates environmental pollutant PM2.5-induced acute lung injury by inhibiting alveolar macrophage pyroptosis

• Small animal in vivo imaging technology was used to detect the activity of Caspase-1 in mice to verify the occurrence of pyroptosis. • MCC950 protects mice from PM 2.5 -induced caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis. • Using siRNA technology to knockdown Nlrp3 in MH-S cells illustrates the key role of NLRP3 in inducing pyroptosis. • Electron microscopy showed that MCC950 reversed PM 2.5 -induced cell pyroptosis. PM 2.5 is a key environmental pollutant that induces inflammatory lung injury. Effective prevention and treatment for PM 2 . 5 -induced lung damage remain lacking. This study investigated MCC950′s protective role in PM 2 . 5 -exposed mice and macrophages. PM 2 . 5 triggers NLRP3/Caspase-1-mediated pyroptosis, amplifying pulmonary inflammation. MCC950 attenuates injury by inhibiting pyroptosis, suggesting therapeutic potential.