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A critical role for the NLRP3 inflammasome in NASH

Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology volume 14, page 197 (2017)Cite this article

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Inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome in a mouse model of NASH reduces hepatic inflammation and liver fibrosis, according to new research published in the Journal of Hepatology.

To probe the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in NASH, Farrell and colleagues treated an overnutrition mouse model of NASH with a selective small molecule NLRP3 inhibitor, MCC950, or a control solution for 8 weeks. Mice treated with the control solution had upregulated levels of hepatic NLRP3, IL-1β and active caspase 1, in addition to NASH pathology and cholesterol crystal accumulation in the liver. By contrast, MCC950 prevented increased expression of these proteins and reduced levels of plasma inflammatory markers.

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Change history

  • 08 March 2017

    In the version of this article initially published online, the original article reference details were incorrect. This error has been corrected for the HTML and PDF versions of the article.

References

  1. Mridha, A. R. et al. NLRP3 inflammasome blockade reduces liver inflammation and fibrosis in experimental NASH in mice. J. Hepatol. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2017.01.022 (2017)

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  1. Hugh Thomas
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Thomas, H. A critical role for the NLRP3 inflammasome in NASH. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 14, 197 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2017.21

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2017.21

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