Role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in autoimmune diseases

NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) is an intracellular receptor that senses foreign pathogens and endogenous danger signals. It assembles with apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) and caspase-1 to form a multimeric protein called the NLRP3 inflammasome. Among its various functions, the NLRP3 inflammasome can induce the release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 while...