NLRP3 inflammasome as the potential target mechanism and therapy in recurrent spontaneous abortions

Abstract

Recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA) are defined as aborting three or more times within 20 gestational weeks with the same sexual partner. The occurrence of RSA exhibits an upward trend in modern society. The NACHT, LRR and PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, which is an important component of innate immunity, serves a role in the immune response and in disease occurrence. In the present study, it was demonstrated that the disordered regulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome may induce the occurrence of RSA. The results of the present study demonstrated that caspase-1 activity, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 were upregulated in patients with RSA compared with healthy controls. Further investigation was performed to elucidate the mechanism of activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in patients with RSA. The inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome in a RSA mouse model was able to decrease the rate of abortions. Finally, the present study demonstrated that the activated NLRP3 inflammasome was involved in the pathogenesis of RSA through regulation of the Th17 and regulatory T cell imbalance. The present study provides a potential future therapeutic target for RSA via the NLRP3 inflammasome.