NLRP3 SIGNALING AND ITS ROLE IN ATHEROSCLEROSIS: REVIEW AND NEW INSIGHTS

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Recently, the roleof inflammation in the cascade of events leading to the development ofatherosclerosis has been the center of attention. Inflammasomes are proteincomplexes that are required for the secretion and maturation of proinflammatorycytokines as well as activation of inflammatory caspases. Among theseinflammasomes, the NLRP3 inflammasome has gained more importance due toits implication in a number of metabolic diseases. The relation of NLRP3inflammasome to atherosclerosis is an emerging and exciting area of ongoingresearch. Despite major leaps in our research of the signaling pathways ofNLRP3 inflammasome, the entire assembly and activation process and itsclinical implications are still eluding our understanding. This article will reviewsome major aspects of the inflammasome signaling pathways. It will also reviewpast studies and highlight recent developments in understanding the role ofNLRP3 inflammasomes in relation to atherosclerosis.