International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Review Role of NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation in Obesity-Mediated Metabolic Disorders Kaiser Wani , Hind AlHarthi, Amani Alghamdi , Shaun Sabico and Nasser M. Al-Daghri * Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
[email protected] (K.W.);
[email protected] (H.A.);
[email protected] (A.A.);
[email protected] (S.S.) * Correspondence:
[email protected]; Tel.: +966-14675939 Abstract: NLRP3 inflammasome is one of the multimeric protein complexes of the nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat (NLR)-containing pyrin and HIN domain family (PYHIN). When ac- tivated, NLRP3 inflammasome triggers the release of pro-inflammatory interleukins (IL)-1β and IL-18, an essential step in innate immune response; however, defective checkpoints in inflamma- some activation may lead to autoimmune, autoinflammatory, and metabolic disorders. Among the consequences of NLRP3 inflammasome activation is systemic chronic low-grade inflammation, a cardinal feature of obesity and insulin resistance. Understanding the mechanisms involved in the regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome in adipose tissue may help in the development of specific inhibitors for the treatment and prevention of obesity-mediated metabolic diseases. In this narrative review, the current understanding of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and regulation is highlighted, including its putative roles in adipose tissue dysfunction and insulin resistance. Specific inhibitors of NLRP3 inflammasome activation which can potentially be used to treat metabolic disorders are also discussed. Keywords: NLRP3 inflammasome; metabolic stress; insulin resistance; diabetes; obesity Citation: Wani, K.; AlHarthi, H.; Alghamdi, A.; Sabico, S.; Al-Daghri, N.M. Role of NLRP3 Inflammasome 1.