Targeting NLRP3 Inflammasome in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Putting out the Fire of Inflammation

Inflammation. 2019 Aug;42(4):1147-1159. doi: 10.1007/s10753-019-01008-y.

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of inflammatory conditions of the colon and small intestine, comprised of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Among the complicated pathogenic factors of IBD, the overaction of inflammatory and immune reaction serves as an important factor. Inflammasome is a form of innate immunity as well as inflammation. Among all kinds of inflammasomes, the NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is the most studied one, and has been revealed to be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of IBD. Here, in this review, the association between the NLRP3 inflammasome and IBD will be discussed. Furthermore, several NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors which have been demonstrated to be effective in the alleviation of IBD will be described in this review.

Keywords: Crohn’s disease; NLRP3 inflammasome; autophagy; inflammation; inflammatory bowel disease; ulcerative colitis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Colitis, Ulcerative
  • Crohn Disease
  • Humans
  • Inflammasomes / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Inflammasomes / chemistry
  • Inflammasomes / immunology
  • Inflammation / prevention & control
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / etiology
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / pathology
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein* / immunology

Substances

  • Inflammasomes
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • NLRP3 protein, human