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Updated: May 27, 2026

Screening Assays to Characterize Novel Endothelial Regulators Involved in the Inflammatory Response
12:50

Screening Assays to Characterize Novel Endothelial Regulators Involved in the Inflammatory Response

Published on: September 15, 2017

Endothelial Dysfunction in Vascular Inflammation: The Role of NLRP3, NLRP10, AIM2, TLR9, and PANoptosis

Diana L Silva-Velasco1,2, Rinaldo R Dos Passos3,4, Raiana Anjos Moraes3,4

  • 1Cardiovascular Translational Research Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA. diana.silvavelasco@uscmed.sc.edu.

Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology
|May 25, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Inflammasomes like NLRP3 and AIM2 contribute to vascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction by releasing inflammatory cytokines. Targeting these pathways may offer new treatments for cardiovascular diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Innate Immunity
  • Molecular Medicine

Background:

  • Endothelial dysfunction is central to vascular inflammation and cardiovascular diseases.
  • Inflammasome factors critically influence inflammatory and cell death pathways impacting endothelial homeostasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the role of specific inflammasome sensors (NLRP3, AIM2, TLR9, NLRP10) in endothelial dysfunction.
  • To understand how these sensors mediate inflammatory responses and cell death, including PANoptosis.
  • To explore potential therapeutic targets for vascular dysfunction.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of inflammasome activation pathways in endothelial cells.
  • Investigation of cytokine release (IL-1β, IL-18) and inflammatory signaling.
  • Examination of cell death mechanisms (pyroptosis, apoptosis, necroptosis, PANoptosis).

Main Results:

  • NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasomes promote IL-1β and IL-18 release, amplifying vascular inflammation.
  • TLR9 activation by mitochondrial DNA enhances endothelial inflammatory cytokine secretion.
  • NLRP10 modulates inflammasome activity and NF-κB signaling.
  • Convergent signaling leads to pyroptosis, apoptosis, necroptosis, and PANoptosis, causing endothelial injury.

Conclusions:

  • Inflammasome pathways are key drivers of endothelial dysfunction and vascular inflammation.
  • These innate immune sensors integrate multiple cell death pathways, exacerbating endothelial injury.
  • Understanding these mechanisms provides novel therapeutic avenues for cardiovascular diseases.
Keywords:
Cardiovascular diseaseEndothelial dysfunctionInflammasomePANoptosisVascular inflammation

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