Signaling molecules and pathways activated by carbon nanotubes. It has been demonstrated that CNT can positively or negatively influence several signaling cascades that play critical roles in physiological and pathological conditions, including the NF-κB, NLRP3 inflammasome, p53, TGF-β1, and MAPK pathways. Dysregulation of these pathways leads to abnormal gene expression and protein function, and eventually results in disease occurrence and progression.