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),Italy
- Department of Biological and Clinical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin,Italy
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.
