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Updated: Jan 25, 2026

Activation and Measurement of NLRP3 Inflammasome Activity Using IL-1β in Human Monocyte-derived Dendritic Cells
Published on: May 22, 2014
MCC950 closes the active conformation of NLRP3 to an inactive state
Ana Tapia-Abellán1, Diego Angosto-Bazarra1, Helios Martínez-Banaclocha1
1Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain.
Abstract:
NLRP3 (NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3) is an innate immune sensor that contributes to the development of different diseases, including monogenic autoinflammatory syndromes, gout, atherosclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease. The molecule sulfonylurea MCC950 is a NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor with potential clinical utility. However, the mechanism of action of MCC950 remains unknown. Here, we characterize the mechanism of action of MCC950 in both wild-type and autoinflammatory-related NLRP3 mutants, and demonstrate that MCC950 closes the 'open' conformation of active NLRP3.
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