The NLRP3 inflammasome: Mechanism of action, role in disease and therapies

NLRP3 is the best characterized cytosolic nod-like pattern recognition receptor which can detect microbial motifs, endogenous danger and stress signals. Activation of NLRP3 leads to the formation of a cytosolic multiprotein signaling complex called the inflammasome, which serves as a platform for caspase-1 activation leading to the processing of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-18 and GSDMD mediated cell death. This form of pyroptotic cell death represents a major pathway of inflammation. Growing evidence has indicated hyperactivation of NLRP3 inflammasome is involved in a wide range of inflammatory diseases. In this review we present the recent advances in understanding the mechanism of NLRP3 activation, its role in driving inflammatory diseases, and the development of NLRP3 targeted therapies.