Skip to main content
. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2022 May 1.
Published in final edited form as: FASEB J. 2021 May;35(5):e21439. doi: 10.1096/fj.202002622R

Figure 2: NLRP3 activation pathway.

Figure 2:

On detection of stimuli, the first step of NLRP3 inflammasome activation initiates starting from the activation of the NF-κB pathway and subsequent transcription of components from the NLRP3 inflammasome complex. In the second canonical activation step of the NLRP3 inflammasome, an active assembly of NLRP3 inflammasome complex is formed which is triggered with the efflux or influx of ions, reactive oxygen species among other signals. Activated and fully formed NLRP3 inflammasome complex then converts IL-1β, IL-18 cytokines, and gasdermin D into their activated forms. In the non-canonical activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, sensing of cytosolic LPS by caspases triggers the formation of an active NLRP3 inflammasome assembly by the efflux of K+ ions subsequently leading to the release of cytokines and other mediators. Created with Biorender.com.