NLRP3: A promising therapeutic target for autoimmune diseases

NLRP3, a member of nucleotide-binding domain-(NOD) like receptor family, can be found in large varieties of immune and non-immune cells. Upon activation, the NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC) and pro-caspase-1 would assemble into a multimeric protein, called the NLRP3 inflammasome. Then the inflammasome promotes inflammation (through specific cleavage and production of bioactive IL-1β and IL-18) and pyroptotic cell death. Previous studies have indicated the importance of NLRP3 in regulating innate immunity. Recently, numerous studies have revealed their significance in autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic sclerosis (SSc) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this review, we will briefly discuss the biological features of NLRP3 and summarize the recent progression of the involvement of NLRP3 in the development and pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, as well as its clinical implications and therapeutic potential.