Role of NLRP3 Inflammasomes in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Large-scale neuronal degeneration in the human brain is a hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases. These diseases range in location and cause, but they all have neurodegenerative characteristics in common. Neurodegenerative diseases, which have almost no efective treatment options, tend to progress irreversibly and cause large socioeconomic and healthcare costs. In recent years, due to the increase in the elderly population, neurodegenerative diseases that have a risk factor with aging are becoming increasingly common. Evidence that neurodegenerative diseases, which have an important place in public health, may be caused by neuroinflammation, has led to comprehensive investigation of neurodegenerative diseases in this regard. Inflammasomes are innate immune system-associated multiproteins that regulate caspase-1 activation and induce inflammation. The NLRP3 inflammasome is the most researched inflammasome and also located in microglia, its activation mediates the maturation and secretion of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin1beta (IL-1β) and IL-18, thus exerting its efects in the central nervous system. Within the scope of this review, experimental and human studies evaluating the role of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and the efects of its inhibition in neurodegenerative diseases frequently encountered in society have been compiled with studies from past to present.