NLRP3 inflammasome: structure, mechanism, drug-induced organ toxicity, therapeutic strategies, and future perspectives

Abstract

Drug-induced toxicity is an important issue in clinical medicine, which typically results in organ dysfunction and adverse health consequences. The family of NOD-like receptors (NLRs) includes intracellular proteins involved in recognizing pathogens and triggering innate immune responses, including the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. The NLRP3 (nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family, pyrin domain-containing 3) inflammasome is a critical component for both innate and adaptive immune responses and has been implicated in various drug-induced toxicities, including hepatic, renal, and cardiovascular diseases. The unusual activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome causes the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β and IL-18, which can lead to more damage to tissues. Targeting NLRP3 inflammasome is a potential therapeutic endeavour for suppressing drug-induced toxicity. This review provides insights into the mechanism, drug-induced organ toxicity, therapeutic strategies, and prospective therapeutic approaches of the NLRP3 inflammasome and summarizes the developing therapies that target the inflammasome unit. This review has taken up one of the foremost endeavours in understanding and inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome as a means of generating safer pharmacological therapies.