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Updated: Jun 8, 2025

An Adipocyte Cell Culture Model to Study the Impact of Protein and Micro-RNA Modulation on Adipocyte Function
Published on: May 4, 2021
Targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome-IL-1β pathway in type 2 diabetes and obesity
Daniel T Meier1,2, Joyce de Paula Souza3,4, Marc Y Donath5,6
1Clinic of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland. daniel.zeman@unibas.ch.
Abstract:
Increased activity of the NACHT, LRR and PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-IL-1β pathway is observed in obesity and contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes and its complications. In this review, we describe the pathological activation of IL-1β by metabolic stress, ageing and the microbiome and present data on the role of IL-1β in metabolism. We explore the physiological role of the IL-1β pathway in insulin secretion and the relationship between circulating levels of IL-1β and the development of diabetes and associated diseases. We highlight the paradoxical nature of IL-1β as both a friend and a foe in glucose regulation and provide details on clinical translation, including the glucose-lowering effects of IL-1 antagonism and its impact on disease modification. We also discuss the potential role of IL-1β in obesity, Alzheimer's disease, fatigue, gonadal dysfunction and related disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout. Finally, we address the safety of NLRP3 inhibition and IL-1 antagonists and the prospect of using this therapeutic approach for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and its comorbidities.
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