Exploring Inflammasome Complex as a Therapeutic Approach in Inflammatory Diseases

Abstract

Inflammasomes, a group of multiprotein complexes, are essential in regulating inflam- mation and immune responses. Several inflammasomes, including nucleotide-binding domain

leucine-rich repeat-containing protein 1 (NLRP1), NLRP3, NLRP6, NLRP7, NLRP12, interferon- inducible protein 16 (IFI16), NOD-like receptor family CARD domain-containing protein 4 (NLRC4),

absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2), and pyrin, have been studied in various inflammatory diseases. Activating inflammasomes leads to the processing and production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18. The NLRP3 inflammasome is the most extensively studied and well characterized. Consequently, targeting inflammasomes (particularly NLRP3) with several compounds, including small molecule inhibitors and natural compounds, has been studied as a

potential therapeutic strategy. This review provides a comprehensive overview of different inflam- masomes and their roles in six inflammatory diseases, including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s

disease, Parkinson’s disease, atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. We also discussed different strategies that target inflammasomes to develop effective therapeutics.