Mechanism and Regulation of NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation.

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Abstract

Members of the nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat (LRR)-containing (NLR) family and the pyrin and HIN domain (PYHIN) family can form multiprotein complexes termed 'inflammasomes'. The biochemical function of inflammasomes is to activate caspase-1, which leads to the maturation of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and IL-18 and the induction of pyroptosis, a form of cell death. Unlike other inflammasomes, the NLRP3 inflammasome can be activated by diverse stimuli. The importance of the NLRP3 inflammasome in immunity and human diseases has been well documented, but the mechanism and regulation of its activation remain unclear. In this review we summarize current understanding of the mechanism and regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome activation as well as recent advances in the noncanonical and alternative inflammasome pathways.

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Author and article information

Journal

Journal ID (iso-abbrev): Trends Biochem. Sci.

Title: Trends in biochemical sciences

Publisher: Elsevier BV

ISSN: 0968-0004

ISSN (Print): 0968-0004

Publication date (Electronic): Dec 2016

Volume: 41

Issue: 12

Affiliations

[1 ] Department of Pathology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.

[2 ] Department of Pathology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. Electronic address: gabriel.nunez@umich.edu.