Inflammasome activation and innate immunity in Alzheimer's disease

Activation of innate immunity and the assembly of microglial cells at sites of Alzheimer disease pathology has long been regarded as bystander phenomenon, which does not actively contribute to disease pathogenesis and progression. Recent data emerging from genetics, clinical imaging and animal experimentation point to an intimate and mutual interaction of innate immune mechanisms and neurodegenerative processes. NOD-like receptor (NLR) family, pyrin domain containing 3 and 1 inflammasomes, present in myeloid cells and neurons, respectively, represent key components of the innate immune reaction observed in Alzheimer patient brains. Inhibition of inflammasome activation just begins to prove beneficial and protective from cognitive deficits and neuronal death in cell culture and animal models of Alzheimer's disease, thereby opening a new avenue for therapeutic intervention.