NLRP3 inflammasome: a new therapeutic target for high-risk reproductive disorders?

• Published in: Chinese medical journal Vol. 134; no. 1; pp. 20 - 27
• Main Authors: Zhou, Feng, Li, Chao, Zhang, Song-Ying
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: China Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 04.11.2020; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Ovid Technologies; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital Affiliated to School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, China; Wolters Kluwer
• Subjects: Apoptosis; Caspase 1; Chronic fatigue syndrome; Cytokines; Diabetes; Disease; Endometriosis; Fatty acids; Female; Growth factors; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Inflammasomes; Inflammation; Insulin resistance; Interleukin-1beta; Metabolism; Metabolites; Microorganisms; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein; NLR Proteins; Obesity; Ovaries; Pathogenesis; Polycystic ovary syndrome; Preeclampsia; Pregnancy; Premature Birth; Proteins; Reproductive system; Review; Risk Assessment; Tumor necrosis factor-TNF; Womens health; Preterm birth; Polycystic ovarian syndrome; Gestational diabetes mellitus; Endometriosis; Reproductive disorders; Recurrent spontaneous abortion; Pre-eclampsia; NLRP3 inflammasome
• ISSN: 0366-6999; 2542-5641; 2542-5641
• DOI: 10.1097/CM9.0000000000001214

The NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a key regulator of the host's immune response, and many immune and metabolic disorders are linked to its activation. This review aimed to investigate and clarify the relationship between this inflammasome and high-risk reproductive disorders. Papers cited here were retrieved from PubMed up to August 2020 using the keywords "NLRP3" or "NALP3", "caspase-1", "endometriosis", "gestational diabetes", "interleukin (IL)-18", "IL-1β", "pre-eclampsia (PE)", "preterm birth", "polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)", "recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA)", and combinations of these terms. The results show that NLRP3 inflammasome is associated with various high-risk reproductive disorders and many inflammatory factors are secreted during its activation, such as IL-1β induced during the development of endometriosis. PCOS is also associated with activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, especially in overweight patients. It also participates in the pathogenesis of RSA and is activated in fetal membranes before preterm birth. The placentas of pregnant women with PE show higher expression of the NLRP3 inflammasome, and gestational diabetes mellitus occurs simultaneously with its activation. Current evidence suggest that the NLRP3 inflammasome plays an important role in female reproductive disorders. New treatment and management methods targeting it might help reduce the incidence of such disorders and improve neonatal outcomes.