NLRP3 Inflammasome in Vascular Dementia: Regulatory Mechanisms, Functions, and Therapeutic Implications: A Comprehensive Review

作者：Yujia Lu, Lin Cheng, Yinyi Xiong, Chunyan Huang, Ziying Liu, Chunxiao Shen, Huaying Wang, Yuemin Qiu, Seung‐Bum Yang, Maoxiong Wu, Xiaorong Zhang · 发表于：CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1111/cns.70403 · 被引用次数：9 · 研究领域：Inflammasome and immune disorders、Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms、Neurological Disease Mechanisms and Treatments

BACKGROUND: Vascular dementia, the second most common type of dementia globally after Alzheimer's disease, is associated with neuroinflammation. Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, an important pattern recognition receptor in human innate immunity, plays a key role in the pathogenesis of vascular dementia. RESULTS: The NLRP3 inflammasome pathway destroys neuronal cells primarily through the production of IL-18 and IL-1β. Moreover, it exacerbates vascular dementia by producing IL-18, IL-1β, and the N-terminal fragment of GSDMD, which also contributes to neuronal cell death. Thus, blocking the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway presents a new therapeutic strategy for treating vascular dementia, thereby delaying or curing the disease more effectively and mitigating adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: This review explores the role and mechanisms of the NLRP3 inflammasome in vascular dementia, summarizing current research and therapeutic strategies. Investigating the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome can reveal the pathogenesis of vascular dementia from a new perspective and propose innovative preventive and treatment strategies.