Recent studies have demonstrated that l-homocysteine (Hcys)-induced podocyte injury leading to glomerular damage or sclerosis is attributable to the activation of the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor containing pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Given the demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects of endocannabinoids, the present study was designed to test whether anandamid...

Introduction Mutations in the gene encoding NLRP3 cause a spectrum of autoinflammatory diseases known as the cryopyrinassociated periodic syndromes (CAPS). NLRP3 is a key component of one of several distinct cytoplasmic multiprotein complexes (inflammasomes) that mediate the maturation of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin1b (IL-1b) by activating caspase-1. Although several models for inf...

While inflammation is considered a central component in the development in diabetic nephropathy, the mechanism remains unclear. The NLRP3 inflammasome acts as both a sensor and a regulator of the inflammatory response. The NLRP3 inflammasome responds to exogenous and endogenous danger signals, resulting in cleavage of procaspase-1 and activation of cytokines IL-1β, IL-18, and IL-33, ultimately ...

In this study, we investigated purinergic receptor P2X7 and NACHT, LRR and PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome expressions, and their role in head and neck cancer. We found upregulation of purinergic receptor P2X7 and all NLRP3 inflammasome components in biopsied head and neck squamous cell carcinoma tissues. Similarly, the expression of purinergic receptor P2X7, apoptosis-ass...

BACKGROUND Melioidosis, caused by the gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, is a common cause of community-acquired sepsis in Southeast Asia and Northern Australia. The NLRP3 inflammasome and its downstream product interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) have been proposed to play crucial roles in melioidosis. In this study, we characterized the role of IL-1β more closely and we assessed its th...

Recent studies have demonstrated that NLRP3 inflammasome complex acts as pivotal elements to initiate inflammatory responses and plays an important role in the dysfunction of cardiovascular complications. Meanwhile, simvastatin prevents vascular endothelial dysfunction from inflammasome invasion contributing to reduce cardiovascular risk. However, Whether or not the simvastatin improves vascula...

BACKGROUND/AIMS Inflammasomes are multimolecular complexes that regulate caspase-1. They act as sensors for endogenous and exogenous signals, and mediate the processing of pro-IL-1β into its secreted, biologically active form. The NLRP3 inflammasome and IL-1β are particularly interesting because they are required for efficient control of viral infections. Indeed, HIV-1 induces expression of NLR...

Introduction Cryopyrin-associated periodic Syndromes (CAPS) are caused by heterozygous mutations in the NLRP3 gene. More than 80 disease causing mutations have been identified, mostly clustered in NLRP3 exon 3, but also described in exons 4 and 6. However, up to 50% of clinically diagnosed CAPS patients (with identical clinical features and response to anti-IL-1 treatment) show no mutation in N...

The inflammasome is a molecular platform formed by activation of an innate immune pattern recognition receptor seed, such as NLRP3. Once activated, NLRP3 recruits the adapter ASC (apoptosis-related speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain), which in turn recruits procaspase-1. Procaspase-1 autocatalyzes its cleavage and activation, resulting in maturation of the precursor form...