Adipose tissue NLRP3 inflammasome: a therapeutic target in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Adipose tissue has been identified as a crucial player in the release of proinflammatory mediators, which can result in a chronic inflammatory state, predisposing individuals to obesity, insulin resistance (IR), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A major approach in tackling these diseases involves targeting molecular sensors that can respond to nutritional cues and metabolic status that trigger the early phases of inflammatory cascades. Among these sensors is the nucleotide oligomerization domain (NOD)-, leucine-rich repeat-, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Therapeutic strategies targeting the adipose tissue NLRP3 inflammasome show potential for the management of obesity and T2DM. In this review, we provide insights into this potential, the current therapeutic strategies, and recent clinical advances.