Biological functions of NLRP3 inflammasome: A therapeutic target in inflammatory bowel disease

Yijie Song; Yuge Zhao; Yueming Ma; Zhicheng Wang; Lan Rong; Bing Wang; Ning Zhang

doi:10.1016/j.cytogfr.2021.03.003

Biological functions of NLRP3 inflammasome: A therapeutic target in inflammatory bowel disease

Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 2021 Aug:60:61-75. doi: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2021.03.003. Epub 2021 Mar 14.

Authors

Yijie Song¹, Yuge Zhao², Yueming Ma³, Zhicheng Wang⁴, Lan Rong⁵, Bing Wang⁶, Ning Zhang⁷

Affiliations

¹ Experiment Center for Science and Technology, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China; School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
² Center for Pharmaceutics Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China; The Institute for Translational Nanomedicine, Shanghai East Hospital, the Institute for Biomedical Engineering & Nano Science, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China.
³ School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
⁴ Department of Laboratory Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China.
⁵ Department of Digestive Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Middle Wulumuqi Rd., Shanghai, 200040, China. Electronic address: rlan001@126.com.
⁶ Center for Pharmaceutics Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China. Electronic address: bwang@simm.ac.cn.
⁷ Experiment Center for Science and Technology, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China. Electronic address: ningzh18@126.com.

PMID: 33773897
DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2021.03.003

Abstract

Cases of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a debilitating intestinal disorder with complex pathological mechanisms, have been increasing in recent years, straining the capacity of healthcare systems. Thus, novel therapeutic targets and innovative agents must be developed. Notably, the NLRP3 inflammasome is upregulated in patients with IBD and/or in animal experimental models. As an innate immune supramolecular assembly, the NLRP3 inflammasome is persistently activated during the pathogenesis of IBD by multiple stimuli. Moreover, this protein complex regulates pro-inflammatory cytokines. Thus, targeting this multiprotein oligomer may offer a feasible way to relieve IBD symptoms and improve clinical outcomes. The mechanisms by which the NLRP3 inflammasome is activated, its role in IBD pathogenesis, and the drugs administered to target this protein complex are reviewed herein. This review establishes that the use of inflammasome-targeting drugs are effective for IBD treatment. Moreover, this review suggests that the value and potential of naturally sourced or derived medicines for IBD treatment must be recognized and appreciated.

Keywords: Inflammatory bowel disease; NLRP3 inflammasome; Targeted drug.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Cytokines
Humans
Inflammasomes
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases* / drug therapy
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein

Substances

Cytokines
Inflammasomes
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein