Research progress of role of inflammasome in spinal cord functional recovery after spinal cord injury

Abstract

Spinal cord injury is a severe central nervous system damage. The inflammatory response plays a critical role in the secondary injury of spinal cord injury. Inflammasomes which promote the processing, maturation and secretion of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 by regulating the activation of caspase-1 consequentially trigger and aggravate the inflammatory response after spinal cord injury. Targeting upstream and downstream pathways of inflammasomes to interfere with inflammatory response can significantly promote functional repair after spinal cord injury. This review will focus on the inflammasome types, the mode of activation and the treatment strategies of inflammasomes after spinal cord injury, so as to provide reference for researches on inflammation and spinal injury repair. Key words: Spinal cord injuries; Inflammation; Caspase-1