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  • Review Article
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The role of NLRP3 inflammasome in necrotizing enterocolitis

Pediatric Research (2025)Cite this article

Abstract

This review explores the association between the NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in neonates. It underscores the role of NLRP3 inflammasome overactivation in NEC pathogenesis and proposes that inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation may improve therapeutic benefits. This review examines various strategies to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation, detailing their pharmacological mechanisms.

Impact

  • The aim of this review is to discuss the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in the progression of NEC.

  • Abnormal NLRP3 inflammasome activation in patients with NEC and experimental models.

  • Molecules and proteins have been identified as regulators of NLRP3 inflammasome activity, offering avenues for NEC treatment.

  • The NLRP3 inflammasome is a key contributor to NEC.

  • Novel NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors are the focus of the development of NEC therapeutics.

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Fig. 1: The pathogenesis of NEC induced by TLR4 signaling pathway (Figure created using Figdraw).
Fig. 2: The activation and regulation of inflammasome (Figure created using Figdraw).
Fig. 3

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Data availability

All the data analyzed in this review are included in this article and/or its figures. Further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Health Commission of Guangdong Province (the Medical Science and Technology Research Fund of Guangdong Province) (No. A2024413; No. B2022309), Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (No. 2022A1515140063), the Dongguan Science and Technology Bureau (the Dongguan Social Development Science and Technology Project) (No. 20231800939962; No. 20231800939932), the Doctoral Research Fund Project of Dongguan Eighth People’s Hospital (No. DBBS2023004).

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  1. These authors contributed equally: Xiuhui Chen, Rui Long.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dongguan Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Guangdong Medical University, The Eighth People’s Hospital of Dongguan, Dongguan, 523000, China

    Xiuhui Chen, Rui Long, Fengdan Xu, Weijun Ye & Ning Li

  2. Key Laboratory of Precision Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Basic Research, Department of Pharmacy & The Eighth People’s Hospital of Dongguan, Dongguan, 523000, China

    Xiuhui Chen & Weijun Ye

  3. Key Laboratory of Newborn Critical Illness, Department of Neonatology, Dongguan Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523000, China

    Rui Long, Fengdan Xu & Ning Li

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  3. Fengdan Xu
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  4. Weijun Ye
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Contributions

Xiuhui Chen and Rui Long drafted the manuscript, made critical revisions, and approved the final submission. Fengdan Xu, Weijun Ye and Ning Li all made critical revisions to the manuscript and approved its final submission.

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Correspondence to Weijun Ye or Ning Li.

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Chen, X., Long, R., Xu, F. et al. The role of NLRP3 inflammasome in necrotizing enterocolitis. Pediatr Res (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-025-04081-2

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