Cellular component

NALP3 inflammasome complex

An inflammasome complex that consists of three components, NLRP3 (NALP3), PYCARD and caspase-1. It is activated upon exposure to whole pathogens, as well as a number of structurally diverse pathogen- and danger-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs and DAMPs) and environmental irritants. Whole pathogens demonstrated to activate the NLRP3 inflammasome complex include the fungi Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, bacteria that produce pore-forming toxins, including Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus, and viruses such as Sendai virus, adenovirus, and influenza virus.