Abstract
The inflammasome is an important protein complex that cleaves the proinflammatory cytokines pro-IL-1β and pro-IL-18 into their active forms. Owing to its critical role in eliciting innate immune responses, IL-1β has been suggested to contribute to various skin diseases, including psoriasis, vitiligo, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and atopic dermatitis (AD). Recently, several types of activators and inhibitors of different inflammasomes, as well as inflammasome-related genes and genetic susceptibility loci, have been identified in these immune-related common skin diseases. In particular, inflammasome activators and inhibitors presented highly cell-type-specific activity, suggesting that the inflammasome might perform different functions in different cell types. Moreover, most of these findings were based on experimental disease models, and the clinical features of the models partly resemble the typical symptoms of the diseases. In this review, from the perspective of activators and inhibitors, we collected evidence from the widely-studied inflammasomes, NLRP3, AIM2, and NLRP1, in psoriasis, vitiligo, SLE, and AD. Importantly, some small-molecule inhibitors hold therapeutic promise for the treatment of these diseases.
Highlights
The human skin is composed of epidermal and dermal layers that function as the first line of defense against various physical, chemical, and biological threats
absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) mRNA expression is upregulated in macrophages derived from male, but not female, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients after stimulation with 2 mM adenosine triphosphate (ATP), suggesting that the AIM2 inflammasome contributes to SLE in a gender-dependent manner [72]
In the past 15 years, great progress has been made in discovering new inflammasome components and identifying new activators that trigger inflammation or stimulate the innate immune system in various organs, mouse models, and cell types
Summary
The human skin is composed of epidermal and dermal layers that function as the first line of defense against various physical, chemical, and biological threats. Keratinocytes are the main cell type found in the epidermal layer; human skin contains different types of immune cells, such as memory αβ-T cells, dendritic cells (DCs), macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, δγ-T cells, innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), and melanocytes [3, 4]. These cell types coordinate cutaneous immune responses against external stimuli. Inflammasomes in Immune-Related Skin Diseases induces a type of cell death called pyroptosis [6]. We discuss the main findings of inflammasome-related genes in common immune-related skin diseases, including psoriasis, vitiligo, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and atopic dermatitis (AD)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
