Figure 6.

Scheme illustration for Au4.5-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Au4.5-nanoparticle-induced inflammasome activation requires dual functions: (1) generating robust ROS production as an inflammasome-stimulating signal and (2) releasing the autophagy-mediated inhibitory effect on inflammasome activity through targeting LC3 for degradation. By contrast, Au13 failed to activate the NLRP3 inflammasome, since the autophagy-mediated inhibition of the inflammasome pathway is still active. Large Au-NPs (>10 nm) are taken up through endocytosis and trigger NF-κB signaling for TNF-α and IL-6 production. ROS, reactive oxygen species.