Figure 1.

Genetic abnormalities affect development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by elevating the activation of inflammasomes via various cellular processes. Various genetic factors might prevent the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome via various mechanisms that affect NLRP3 oligomerization or modulate autophagy. Their absence might induce aberrant activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and excess production of IL-1β and IL-18 in the infiltrating macrophages or dendritic cells in the lamina propria of the colon. The released pro-inflammatory cytokines and pyroptosis-mediated release of cellular contents might recruit other inflammatory mediators to promote the expansion of the colonic inflammation.