Inflammasomes as therapeutic targets in health and disease

Inflammasomes are multi-protein complexes that play a pivotal role in mediating immune responses by triggering critical inflammatory processes. Extensive evidence highlights the involvement of inflammasomes in the inflammation associated with various diseases, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, neurodegenerative diseases and many more.

The inflammasome is a critical regulator of innate immunity and a key driver of pathological inflammation in a wide range of diseases, including neurodegenerative and systemic inflammatory disorders. Dysregulated inflammasome activation contributes to chronic neuroinflammation, neuronal injury, and immune dysfunction, playing a central role in conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and autoimmune disorders. Recent advances in experimental biology and medicine have unveiled promising strategies to modulate inflammasome activity, offering new therapeutic avenues for disease intervention.

This special issue of Experimental Biology and Medicine aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the inflammasome’s role in neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases, highlighting novel insights into its molecular mechanisms and potential as a therapeutic target. We invite original research, reviews, and translational studies focusing on inflammasome modulation through small-molecule inhibitors, biologics, gene therapies, and repurposed anti-inflammatory drugs. Additionally, contributions addressing biomarkers of inflammasome activation, disease progression, and therapeutic response are encouraged.

By gathering cutting-edge research, this special issue seeks to advance our understanding of inflammasome-driven pathology and foster the development of innovative therapeutic strategies to mitigate neurodegeneration and chronic inflammation, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

We invite original research articles and Reviews/Mini reviews that explore mechanisms of inflammasome activation in health and disease and their potential as therapeutic targets.

Article types and fees

This Issue accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Issue description:

• Brief Communication
• Commentary
• Editorial
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Review

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Issue accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Issue description:

• Brief Communication
• Commentary
• Editorial
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Review

Keywords: NLRP3, inflammasome, pyroptosis, neurodegenerative disease, inflammation