Figure 2.

Crosstalk between inflammasomes and autophagy. Autophagy can negatively regulate NLRP3 inflammasome activation by removing endogenous inflammasome activators, such as ROS-producing damaged mitochondria, removing inflammasome components and cytokines. Autophagic machinery also has a role in unconventional secretion of IL-1β and thus regulates inflammatory response. Conversely, NLRP3 inflammasome activation regulates autophagosome formation through several different mechanisms. Crosstalk between inflammasomes and autophagy is necessary for balance between required host defense inflammatory response and prevention of excessive inflammation.