Danger signals and inflammasomes in autoinflammatory and autoimmune diseases
Bendtzen, K.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 173(38): 2340-2343
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 1603-6824 PMID: 21936977 Document Number: 648970
Cytoplasmic inflammasomes are formed through activation of pattern recognition receptors (PRR) of the innate immune system. Endogenous and exogenous danger signals, e.g. DNA- and RNA-fragments, urate- and cholesterol crystals, silica and asbestos, ß-amyloid, UV-light and skin irritants, may induce NOD-like receptor protein (NLRP)3 inflammasomes. These inflammasomes govern the induction of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1ß, IL-18 and IL-33. PRR and inflammasome dysfunctions may underly immunoinflammatory diseases such as gout and other arthritides, type 1 diabetes and arteriosclerosis.