Mechanisms and effects of NLRP3 in digestive cancers

Yuxin Si; Lei Liu; Zhe Fan

doi:10.1038/s41420-023-01783-6

Mechanisms and effects of NLRP3 in digestive cancers

Cell Death Discov. 2024 Jan 5;10(1):10. doi: 10.1038/s41420-023-01783-6.

Authors

Yuxin Si^#^{1

2}, Lei Liu^#³, Zhe Fan⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of General Surgery, The Third People's Hospital of Dalian, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
² Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
³ Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, College of Basic Medical Science, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
⁴ Department of General Surgery, The Third People's Hospital of Dalian, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China. fanzhe1982@hotmail.com.

^# Contributed equally.

Abstract

Inflammasomes are thought to be important mediators of host defense against microbial pathogens and maintenance of gastrointestinal tract homeostasis. They can modulate caspase-1 to promote IL-18 and IL-1β secretion and promote phagocytosis induced by bacterial pathogens. NLRP3 is an inflammasome comprising a multiprotein complex assembled by pattern recognition receptors in the cell cytoplasm. It is a crucial component of the innate immune system. Dysregulation of NLRP3 may contribute to inflammatory diseases and intestinal cancers. Recent research suggests that NLRP3 plays an essential role in tumor development; therefore, intensive study of its mechanism is warranted as it could play a key role in the treatment of digestive system tumors. In this review, we discuss the mechanism and role of NLRP3 in tumors of the digestive system and response strategies to modulate NLRP3 for potential use in tumor treatment.

Publication types

Review