Cholesterol Crystals Activate the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Human Macrophages: A Novel Link between Cholesterol Metabolism and Inflammation
Figure 7
Proposed mechanism of cholesterol crystal (CHC)-induced inflammasome activation.
CHCs are phagocytosed by macrophages, causing lysosomal destabilization and leakage of cathepsin B to cytoplasm, where the enzyme indirectly activates the NLRP3 inflammasome. Lowering of intracellular potassium concentration, stemming from potassium efflux caused by phagocytosed CHCs, is also required for NLRP3 activation.