Inflammasome Activation by Pathogenic Crystals and Particles

Abstract

The NLRP3 inflammasome is a multiprotein complex that controls processing and secretion of bioactive IL-1 beta and IL-18, powerful proinflammatory cytokines involved in several human diseases. The NLRP3 inflammasome is activated by pathogens, danger signals released by necrotic cells, and crystals and particles of varied size and structure. These inflammasome-activating particles have a causative role in human diseases such as gout, asbestosis, silicosis, and Alzheimer's, or are useful as vaccine adjuvants, like in the case of alum. The molecular aspects involved in activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by particles are being rapidly elucidated and emphasize the importance of phagocytosis, K+ efflux, and generation of reactive oxygen species in this process. Here, the recent literature is reviewed and important questions to be answered in the future are identified.