Fig. 2.

The activation mechanism of NLRP3 inflammasome. NLRP3 responds to a variety of PAMPs and DAMPs. Under different stimuli, signals such as TLR and TNFs promote NLRP3 expression. Oligomerized NLRP3 binds to ASC and recruits pro-caspase-1 to complete the assembly and activation of the inflammasome complex, which in turn cleaves pro-caspase-1, pro-IL-1β, and pro-IL-18. Mature IL-1β and IL-18 induce immune cell recruitment and activate pro-inflammatory signaling pathways, leading to cellular injury and inflammatory cell death. In addition, NLRP3 can activate caspase-1 through classical or non-classical pathways causing GSDMD cleavage, generating membrane pores in the plasma membrane, and causing pyroptosis.