(B, C) THP-1 cells stably expressing the indicated SARS-CoV-2 genes were stimulated with 10 μM nigericin for 30 min following pretreatment with 1 μg/ml LPS for 3 h. Supernatants were collected for an ELISA assay to determine supernatant IL-1β levels (B) and cell pellets were subjected to a cell viability assay to verify the percentage of viable cells through checking cellular ATP levels (C). For B-C, Student's t-test was used and data were shown as means±SD of three technical replicates. NS, non-significant. Data information: control vector used here was empty vector corresponded to the nucleocapsid-containing vector. Student's t-test was used and data were shown as means±SD of three technical replicates. **, P<0.01; NS, non-significant. Similar results were observed for at least three times. 