Figure 5. A proposed schematic of NLRP3 inflammasome–dependent pyroptosis in CD4⁺ T cells in chronically HIV-1–infected patients.

(A) The pyroptotic and apoptotic levels of CD4⁺ T cells are elevated during chronic HIV-1 infection, showing close correlation with traditional biomarkers of disease, such as CD4⁺ T cell loss, increased viral load, and persistent inflammation. These symptoms are partially restored by effective ART. (B) The inflammatory milieu of the microenvironment in chronic HIV-1 infection sensitizes cells to a primed state, with upregulation of a series of inflammasome-related genes. Pyroptosis occurs through NLRP3 inflammasome activation driven by virus-dependent (signal 1) and/or -independent (signals 2 and 3) ROS production.