Targeting inflammasomes: A possible therapeutic approach for periodontal disease (Review)

Abstract

Inflammasomes are cytosolic multimeric protein complexes that typically comprise a sensor, an adaptor and the zymogen, procaspase-1. Inflammasomes are a central hub for signaling and the regulation of innate immunity. An inflammasome assembles in response to a diverse range of pathogen-associated molecular patterns or danger-associated molecular patterns. Inflammasomes further induce the matu- ration of interleukin (IL)-1β and 18 through the proteolytic cleavage of pro-IL-1β and pro-IL-18. A number of previous studies have highlighted the importance of the appropriate activation of the inflammasome in homeostasis and in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. Inflammasomes function as a homeostatic checkpoint to regulate the extent of inflam- mation in health and disease. Thus, further research is required to uncover the modulators and regulators of the inflammasome assembly. The enhanced knowledge of various strategies which may be used to regulate an excessive inflammatory response at the cellular and molecular level may lead to the development of more effective strategies for the treatment and prevention of periodontal disease, as well as its associated systemic diseases.