Title:Role of NLRP-3 Inflammasome in Hypertension: A Potential Therapeutic Target
VOLUME: 19 ISSUE: 9
Author(s):Teresa Pasqua*, Pasquale Pagliaro, Carmine Rocca, Tommaso Angelone and Claudia Penna*
Affiliation:Department of Biology, Ecology and E.S., Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Cardiac Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Calabria, Rende (CS), Department of Biological and Clinical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Department of Biology, Ecology and E.S., Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Cardiac Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Calabria, Rende (CS), Department of Biology, Ecology and E.S., Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Cardiac Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Calabria, Rende (CS), Department of Biological and Clinical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin
Keywords:Cytokines, inflammasome, hypertension, inflammation, preeclampsia, vascular remodeling.
Abstract:Background: Hypertension is a multifactorial and chronic cardiovascular condition whose
complications are responsible for worldwide morbidity and mortality. An increasing body of experimental
data, recognize low-grade inflammation as a basic process in hypertension onset and development
since there is a strong contribution of both the innate and the adaptive immune system according
to the so-called Danger-Model. In this contest, NLRP3 inflammasome represents a key signaling platform
as demonstrated by its implication in several hypertension-associated conditions, such as vascular
smooth muscle remodeling and proliferation. This intracellular receptor is activated by Pathogenassociated
molecular pattern molecules/damage-associated molecular pattern molecules signals and its
mechanism of action converges on the final production of caspase-1 and, consequently, of the proinflammatory
cytokines IL-1β and IL-18.
Objective: The aim of the present work was to point out the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome complex
in the hypertensive pathology and to describe it as a new potential therapeutic target.
Method: A systematic review of the literature data related to NLRP3 and hypertension correlation has
been performed.
Results: Numerous and well-designed experiments demonstrate that the inflammasome plays a crucial
role in essential and high-salt dependent hypertension, as well as in preeclampsia, in pulmonary hypertension,
and in its related secondary disorders; its mechanism includes both a central nervous and a peripheral
modulation of the inflammatory pathways. To date, research is trying to design inflammasome
antagonists or equivalent inhibition strategies.
Conclusion: The inflammasome represents a leading promoter of hypertensive inflammation opening
new perspective in the field of the clinical approach in this pathology.
