Fig. 3
From: The crystal-induced activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes in atherosclerosis
NLRP3 inflammasome activation mediated by lysosomal destabilization. Various endogenous crystals and exogenous particulate matter activate NLRP3 inflammasomes and cause inflammatory diseases. Phagocytosed particles cause lysosomal destabilization and rupture, which induce the leakage of lysosomal enzyme cathepsin B, resulting in the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes. As a factor that induces lysosome destabilization, the following crystals or particles are known: MSU crystals, calcium pyrophosphate (CPPD) crystals, cholesterol crystals, silica particles, and β-amyloid