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NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation Induced by Engineered Nanomaterials
Author(s) -
Sun Bingbing,
Wang Xiang,
Ji Zhaoxia,
Li Ruibin,
Xia Tian
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
small
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.785
H-Index - 236
eISSN - 1613-6829
pISSN - 1613-6810
DOI - 10.1002/smll.201201962
Subject(s) - inflammasome , nanotechnology , nanomaterials , chemistry , materials science , biology , inflammation , immunology
Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) continue to attract significant attention because they have novel physicochemical properties that can improve the functions of products that will benefit human lives. However, the physicochemical properties that make ENMs attractive could interact with biological systems and induce cascades of events that cause toxicological effects. Recently, there have been more studies suggesting inflammasome activation may play an important role in ENM‐induced biological responses. Inflammasomes are a family of multiprotein complexes that are increasingly recognized as major mediators of the host immune system. Among these, NLRP3 inflammasome is the most studied that could directly interact with ENMs to generate inflammatory responses. In this review, the ENM physicochemical properties are linked to NLRP3 inflammasome activation. An understanding of the mechanisms of ENM–NLRP3 inflammasome interactions will provide us with strategies for safer nanomaterial design and therapy.