Fig. 3.

Proposed mechanism of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in atherosclerosis

Cholesterol crystals are incorporated into the lysosome by phagocytosis or formed intracellularly when oxidized LDL is incorporated with CD36. Overloaded crystals cause lysosomal destabilization and rupture, which induce leakage of the lysosomal enzyme cathepsin B, resulting in the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes. Calcium phosphate crystals also activate NLRP3 inflammasomes through a similar mechanism. LDL, low-density lipoprotein.