〔Abstract〕 Objective To study the effect of Candida albicans with different Sap enzyme activities on the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome in humans and mice vaginal epithelial cells. Methods Candida collected from the vagina of vulvovaginal candidiasis( VVC) patients was purified and identified,and the Sap enzyme activity was detected; Humans and mice vaginal epithelial cells were cultured by enzyme stepwise digestion and co-cultured with Candida albicans with different Sap enzyme activities; The expression of NLRP3 inflammasome was detected in vaginal epithelial cells by immunofluorescence method; The levels of interleukin( IL)-1β and IL-18 in cell supernatant was detected by ELISA method; Cell morphology was observed by HE staining. The culture methods of humans and mice vaginal epithelial cells were in the same way. Results The levels of NLRP3 inflammasome,IL-1β and IL-18 in the group with strong Sap activity were all higher than those in the group with weak Sap activity,and reached their peaks in the early stage of infection. As the infection time increases,cells could be seen to rupture and die,and NLRP3 inflammasomes also declined,this presented the same tendency in humans and mice vaginal epithelial cells. Conclusion Candida albicans could stimulate the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome,IL-1β and IL-18 in vaginal epithelial cells,and Candida albicans with strong Sap activity was more effective. Humans and mice vaginal epithelial cells had the same inflammatory response after infection,so mice could replace humans as the model animal for VVC in vivo research.