Research progress on the NLRP3 inflammasome and its role in the central nervous system.

The NLRP3 inflammasome, which consists of the NLRP3 (nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (Nod)-like receptor 3) scaffold, the ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD) adaptor and procaspase- 1, is assembled after the cytoplasmic LRRs (leucine-rich repeats) of NLRP3 sense pathogens or danger signals. The NLRP3 inflammasome controls the activation of the proteolytic enzyme caspase-1. Caspase-1 in turn regulates the maturation of the proinflammasome cytokines IL-1β and IL-18, which leads to an inflammatory response. The inflammasome plays an important role in the development of Alzheimer's disease and bacterial meningitis, and the NLRP3 inflammasome may become a new target for the prevention and treatment of central nervous system diseases.