Role of inflammasomes in pathogenesis of diseases with a high impact on public health

Abstract

An inflammasome becomes activated under the action of tissue decay products or pathogenic microorganisms and converts pro-IL-1 and pro-IL-18 to their active forms. Activation of inflammasomes has been reported in many inflammatory diseases and serves as a target for therapeutic interventions. The present review discusses the contribution of inflammasomes to pathogenesis of diseases with a high impact on public health, such as atherosclerosis, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, arthritis, diseases of lungs and kidneys. Results of clinical studies and animal experiments on knockout mouse strains with a deficit of inflammasome components suggest a significant role of these structures in progression of pathology associated with inflammatory damage to tissues.