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Inflammasome Activation by Pathogenic Crystals and Particles

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The Inflammasomes

Part of the book series: Progress in Inflammation Research ((PIR))

Abstract

The NLRP3 inflammasome is a multiprotein complex that controls processing and secretion of bioactive IL-1β and IL-18, powerful proinflammatory cytokines involved in several human diseases. The NLRP3 inflammasome is activated by pathogens, danger signals released by necrotic cells, and crystals and particles of varied size and structure. These inflammasome-activating particles have a causative role in human diseases such as gout, asbestosis, silicosis, and Alzheimer’s, or are useful as vaccine adjuvants, like in the case of alum. The molecular aspects involved in activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by particles are being rapidly elucidated and emphasize the importance of phagocytosis, K+ efflux, and generation of reactive oxygen species in this process. Here, the recent literature is reviewed and important questions to be answered in the future are identified.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 858 Madison Avenue, MSB 501B, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA

    Fabio Re

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Correspondence to Fabio Re .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institut de Transgénose, Labo. d'Immunologie et, CNRS, rue de la Férollerie 3B, Orléans CX 2, 45071, France

    Isabelle Couillin

  2. CNRS UMR 5201, Labo. Génétique et Cancer, Université de Lyon I, rue Laënnec 28, Lyon, 69008, France

    Virginie Pétrilli

  3. Dept. Immunology & Infectious, Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Huntington Ave. 651, Boston, 02115-6017, Massachusetts, USA

    Fabio Martinon

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Re, F. (2011). Inflammasome Activation by Pathogenic Crystals and Particles. In: Couillin, I., Pétrilli, V., Martinon, F. (eds) The Inflammasomes. Progress in Inflammation Research. Springer, Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-0148-5_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-0148-5_6

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