Comparative analysis of NLRP3 in IL-1𝛽 activation and assembling macrophage response in periodontitis of pregnant and non-pregnant women
Background: An activated intracellular sensor, NLRP3 acts as a scaffold-recruiter of the adapter protein ASC (PYCARD) to form the NLRP3 inflammasome complex that activates caspase-1. The latter processes and releases active proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18, and initiates pyroptosis (a rapid form of proinflammatory cell death). K+ efflux (potassium outflow), reactive oxygen species (ROS), lysosomal rupture, or mitochondrial dysfunction act as secondary signals. This "danger sensor" network changes in an uneventful pregnancy, due to the enhanced innate immunity, increased neutrophil activity, shifts in helper T-cells, elevated cytoikone secretion and effereocytosis.
The aim of this observational, non-interventional, non-invasive study is to determine the structural interaction between adaptor ASC proteins (procaspate-1, caspase-1) and NLRP3, using cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) in pregnant and non-pregnant women clustered for age, race, BMI, and no other manifested preexisting condition but periodontitis.
