NLRP3 inflammasome

A protein complex in immune cells that, when triggered by danger signals, switches on powerful inflammatory messengers.

• It assembles in response to microbial toxins, cholesterol and uric-acid crystals, or debris from dying cells.
• Once assembled it activates an enzyme that releases IL-1β and IL-18, two potent signalling proteins that drive inflammation.
• Chronic low-grade activation with age ('inflammaging') is linked to heart disease, gout, type 2 diabetes and neurodegeneration.
• Pills that block it are in early human trials; blocking IL-1β with an antibody cut repeat cardiovascular events by about 15% in the CANTOS trial.