Molecular Mechanism of NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation
Abstract
The inflammasome is an intracellular multimolecular complex that controls caspase-1 activity in the innate immune system. NLRP3, a member of the NLR family of cytosolic pattern recognition receptors, along with the adaptor protein ASC, mediates caspase-1 activation via assembly of the inflammasome in response to various pathogen-derived factors as well as danger-associated molecules. The active NLRP3 inflammasome drives innate immune response towards invading pathogens and cellular damage, and regulates adaptive immune response. Here, we review identified agonists of the NLRP3 inflammasome and the molecular mechanism by which they induce NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Three signaling pathways involving potassium efflux, generation of reactive oxygen species, and cathepsin B release are discussed.
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The P2X7 receptor mediates ATP activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome.
“These effects of stress were prevented in a Nlrp3 KO mouse and were blocked by peripheral administration of an antagonist to the P2X7 receptor, which mediates ATP activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome (Jin and Flavell, 2010), suggesting that stress-induced release of ATP mediates NLRP3 inflammasome activation and subsequent release of IL-1β.”
From Danger Signals and Inflammasomes: Stress-Evoked Sterile Inflammation in Mood Disorders (2017) · cites this paper as Jin and Flavell, 2010
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- Authors
- Jin, C., & Flavell, R. A.
- Affiliations
- Yale University (US)
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute (US)
- Corresponding author
- Flavell, Richard A.
- Venue
- Journal of Clinical Immunology
- Published
- 2010-06-30
- Volume
- 30
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 628-631
- ISSN
- 0271-9142 (ISSN-L)
- 1573-2592
- OpenAlex
- W2052395914
- Cited by
- 440
- References
- 37
- Citations by year
- 2026: 10 · 2025: 23 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 36 · 2022: 29 · 2021: 32 · 2020: 36 · 2019: 28 · 2018: 22 · 2017: 34 · 2016: 25 · 2015: 36 · 2014: 30 · 2013: 37 · 2012: 23
- FWCI
- 9.83
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Journal of Clinical Immunology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Inflammasome and immune disorders
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Immune Response and Inflammation
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › IL-33, ST2, and ILC Pathways
- Keywords
- NLRP3 inflammasome, inflammasome activation, caspase-1 activation, cytosolic pattern recognition receptors, innate immunity, potassium efflux, reactive oxygen species, damage-associated molecular patterns
- MeSH terms
- NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein, Animals, Carrier Proteins, Cathepsin B, Humans, Infections, Potassium, Stress, Physiological, Signal Transduction, Reactive Oxygen Species, Oxidative Stress, Caspase 1, Receptors, Pattern Recognition, Interleukin-1beta, Inflammasomes
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