Fig. 2.

NLRP3 inflammasome activation and priming. Inflammasomes are cytosolic multiprotein oligomers of the innate immune system, and their main function is to activate inflammatory responses. The Nod-like receptor family, pyrin containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome pathway is activated by priming and activation, respectively. Binding of PAMPs/DAMPs to TLRs results in the activation of nuclear factor kappa beta (NFκβ), caspase-1 activation and gene transcription. Once the priming step is completed, activation of the inflammasome can occur in response to several pathogens or endogenous DAMPs. Similarly, SARS-CoV-2 can bind to these receptors to induce an inflammatory response.