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Updated: Feb 13, 2026

Activation and Measurement of NLRP3 Inflammasome Activity Using IL-1β in Human Monocyte-derived Dendritic Cells
Published on: May 22, 2014
Ion homeostasis and ion channels in NLRP3 inflammasome activation and regulation
Iva Hafner-Bratkovič1, Pablo Pelegrín2
1Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Abstract:
The NLRP3 inflammasome is a multiprotein platform for the activation of caspase-1, which in turn drives inflammation through the activation of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β. In contrast to the majority of pattern recognition receptors, NLRP3 inflammasome can be triggered by a plethora of pathogen-derived or endogenous activators, which perturb intracellular ion homeostasis. Here, we discuss how the complex interplay of ion fluxes contributes to canonical, non-canonical, and alternative NLRP3 activation pathways that induce IL-1β secretion from immune cells. Particular attention is given to the concrete evidence for the involvement of ion channels, which may present viable therapeutic targets for the modulation of NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
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