Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s Disease: Focus on NLRP1 and NLRP3 Inflammasomes

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the main cause of dementia worldwide. Ţhe definitive di— agnosis of AD is clinicopathological and based on the identification of cerebral deposition of Amyloid ß (Aß) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. However, the link between amyloid cascade - and depositions of phosphorylated tau (p-tau) is still missing. In this scenario, inflammasomes might play a relevant role. Experimental models of AD have suggested that Aß accumulation induces, through microglia, activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Ţhis activation contributes to the dissemination of Aß and p-tau, as well as to hyperphosphorylation of tau. Also, in experimental models, NLPR1 promoted neuronal pyroptosis. Ţhere are neither comprehensive neuropathologic characterization nor clinicopathologic studies evaluating the NLRP1 and NLRP3 inflammasomes in subjects with AD. Ţhe current mini-review aims to summarize recent and promising findings on the role of NLRP1 and NLRP3 signaling in the pathophysiology of AD. We also sought to highlight the knowledge gap in patients with AD, mainly the lack of clinicopathologic studies on the interaction among inflammasomes, Aß/tau pathology, and cognitive decline.