Objective:To investigate the role NLRP3 inflammasome in acute pulmonary inflammation induced by carbon black nanoparticles(CBNPs). Methods:C57BL/6 mice were exposed to carbon black nanoparticles for 3 days and 7 days,respectively. IL-1β levels in serum and BAL fluid were detected by ELISA,and whole blood of mice was collected for routine blood test. The pathological damage of lung tissues was detected by H&E staining,and the expression of NLRP3 protein in lung tissues was detected by immunohistochemical(IHC)staining. Then,all the experiments were repeated in NLRP3 knock out mice and wild type mice. Results:HE staining showed that acute pulmonary inflammation including enlarged alveolar septum and infiltrations of inflammatory cells were observed in mice after short-term carbon black nanoparticles exposure. There were significant differences in pathological scores between the exposure group and the control group. IHC staining results showed that the expression level of NLRP3 in mice exposed to CBNPs was significantly higher than control. The level of IL-1β in BALF and serum of mice exposed to CBNPs were significantly higher than control. Conclusion:NLRP3/caspase-1 signaling pathway contributes to pulmonary inflammation induced by CBNPs short-term exposure.