Viruses (Jan 2024)

Investigating the Nexus of NLRP3 Inflammasomes and COVID-19 Pathogenesis: Unraveling Molecular Triggers and Therapeutic Strategies

  • Qun He,
  • Da Hu,
  • Fuqiang Zheng,
  • Wenxuan Chen,
  • Kanghong Hu,
  • Jinbiao Liu,
  • Chenguang Yao,
  • Hanluo Li,
  • Yanhong Wei

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/v16020213
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 2
p. 213

Abstract

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The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been marked by severe cases demonstrating a “cytokine storm”, an upsurge of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the bloodstream. NLRP3 inflammasomes, integral to the innate immune system, are speculated to be activated by SARS-CoV-2 within host cells. This review investigates the potential correlation between NLRP3 inflammasomes and COVID-19, exploring the cellular and molecular mechanisms through which SARS-CoV-2 triggers their activation. Furthermore, promising strategies targeting NLRP3 inflammasomes are proposed to mitigate the excessive inflammatory response provoked by SARS-CoV-2 infection. By synthesizing existing studies, this paper offers insights into NLRP3 as a therapeutic target, elucidating the interplay between COVID-19 and its pathophysiology. It serves as a valuable reference for future clinical approaches in addressing COVID-19 by targeting NLRP3, thus providing potential avenues for therapeutic intervention.

Keywords