Role of NLRP3 Inflammasomes in Neuroinflammation Diseases

Inflammasomes are large intracellular multi-protein signaling complexes that are formed in the cytosolic compartment as an inflammatory immune response to endogenous danger signals. The formation of the inflammasome enables activation of an inflammatory protease caspase-1 and pyroptosis initiation with the subsequent cleaving of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and proIL-18 to produce active forms. The inflammasome complex consists of a nod-like receptor, the adapter apoptosis-associated speck-like protein, and caspase-1. Dysregulation of NLRP3 inflammasome activation is involved in neuroinflammation disease pathogenesis, although its role in SCI development and progression remains controversial due to the inconsistent findings described.

In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the contribution of the NLRP3 inflammasome on potential neuroinflammation diseases therapy.