Fig. 2From: Relevant mediators involved in and therapies targeting the inflammatory response induced by activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in ischemic strokeMetabolic changes in the intracellular and extracellular environments activate the NLRP3 inflammasome, leading to pyroptosis. Pyroptosis is characterized by GSDMD-mediated cell death. Extracellular and intracellular environments undergo metabolic changes, including reductions in ATP, efflux of intracellular K+, increases in intracellular Ca2+, and production of large amounts of ROS by mitochondria; the ROS cannot be normally removed, and the NLRP3 inflammasome is activated, prompting pro-caspase-1 to self-cleave into caspase-1. Then, caspase-1 lyses and activates GSDMD, leading to pore formation, membrane lysis, and DNA breakage.Back to article page