Fig. 1
From: The crystal-induced activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes in atherosclerosis
Components of inflammasomes. Several PRRs, which recognize distinct DAMPs, form the inflammasome complex that serves as a molecular platform for caspase-1 activation. NLRP1 inflammasomes are composed of NLRP1 and caspase-1 and are activated by lethal toxins. The components of NLRP3 inflammasomes are NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1. NLRP3 binds ASC via PYD–PYD interaction. ASC subsequently binds caspase-1 via CARD–CARD interaction. NLRP3 inflammasomes are activated by both PAMPs and DAMPs, such as adenosine triphosphae (ATP), nigericin, and monosodium urate (MSU) crystals. NLRC4 inflammasomes are composed of NLRC4 and caspase-1 and are activated by flagellin. AIM2 inflammasomes are composed of AIM2, ASC, and caspase-1 and recognize double-strand DNA (dsDNA)