Figure 1.

The NLRP3 Inflammasome is an Essential Regulator in the Pathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Some environmental factors cause epithelial damage, which allows the entry of luminal organisms or their products to the lamina propria, the latter then induces activation of inflammasomes and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-18 in colon macrophages. These cytokines regulate the adaptive immunity and cause an imbalanced inflammatory response and tissue damage in genetically susceptible individuals (Left). The activation of NLRP3 inflammasome needs two signals: A stimulation to TLRs or TNF receptors induces transcription and appropriate post-translational modification of NLRP3 inflammasome components (signal 1). Some extracellular stimulants such as ATP induce inflammasome assembly (signal 2) and cause autocleavage of caspase-1, which then catalyzes the maturation of precursor of IL-1β, IL-18 and GSDMD, the latter then regulate the adaptive immunity and cause pyroptosis.