Figure 3.

Pathways of NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasome activation. There are two distinct signals needed for inflammasome to be effective. Initially, pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) as the first signal binds to Toll like receptors (TLRs) and stimulate NF-κB, which increases downstream pro-IL-1β and pro-IL-18 production. Then, efflux of K⁺ and dsDNA are the second signals correspondingly to induce NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasome formation. The pathway of NLRP3 inflammasome activation usually proceed under the assistant of cathepsin released by lysosome and ROS mtDNA from mitochondria. The final result of inflammasome activation is cleaving pro-casp-1 into caspase-1, which transforms pro-IL-1β and pro-IL-18 to IL-1β and IL-18. These two effective cytokines are secreted out and participate the inflammatory responses in aortic walls. Figures were produced using Servier Medical Art (www.servier.com).