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NALP Inflammasomes: a central role in innate immunity

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Abstract

Inflammasomes are cytoplasmic multiprotein complexes that mediate the maturation of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-18, and possibly IL-33 by controlling the activation of the inflammatory caspases-1 and -5. Assembly of inflammasomes depends on NOD-like receptor (NLR) family members such as NALPs, NAIP, and IPAF. Various microbial and endogenous stimuli activate different types of inflammasomes. This article focuses on the Pyrin domain containing NLRs, known as NALP proteins. Recent findings provide exciting insights into how these proteins might be activated and also provide evidence of the critical role of the NALP inflammasomes in innate immunity and inflammatory diseases.

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Abbreviations

ASC:

Apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD

CARD:

Caspase recruitment domain

DNFB:

2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene

ICE:

interleukin-1β -converting enzyme

IL-1:

interleukin-1

IPAF:

ICE protease-activating factor

LRR:

leucine rich repeat

MDP:

Muramyl dipeptide

MSU:

Monosodium urate crystals

MyD88:

Myeloid differentiation protein 88

NALP:

NACHT, LRR and PYD containing proteins

NACHT:

Domain present NAIP, the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II transactivator (CIITA), HET-E and TP1

NAIP:

Neuronal apoptosis inhibitory protein

NB-ARC:

nucleotide-binding adaptor shared by APAF-1, R gene products and CED-4

NBS-LRR:

nucleotide binding site-leucine-rich repeat

NLR:

NOD-like receptors

PAMP:

Pathogen-associated molecular patterns

PYD:

Pyrin domain

TNP-CL:

Trinitrophenylchloride

TNCB:

Trinitrochlorobenzene

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Acknowledgments

We thank the members of the Tschopp laboratory and Michael McDermott for discussions and critical reading of the manuscript. This work was supported by grants of the Swiss National Science Foundation (JT). FM is supported by a long-term fellowship from the Human Frontier Sciences Program. VP is supported by the EIF Marie Curie Fellowship.

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Martinon, F., Gaide, O., Pétrilli, V. et al. NALP Inflammasomes: a central role in innate immunity. Semin Immunopathol 29, 213–229 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00281-007-0079-y

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