The Novel Role of the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Mycotoxin-Induced Toxicological Mechanisms.

Simple Summary: Mycotoxins pose a serious threat to human and animal health by causing acute poisoning and chronic effects. However, the toxicological mechanism of mycotoxins is complicated and unclear. Recent reports have revealed that activation of the nucleotide-binding, oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor (NLR) family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is linked with the tissue damage and inflammation induced by mycotoxin exposure. Through a comprehensive literature review, this study illuminates the dysregulated expression of NLRP3 inflammasome responses to mycotoxin exposure. This study not only advances our knowledge of the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in mycotoxin exposure but also offers valuable insights for future studies of novel anti-inflammatory agents used in cases of mycotoxin exposure. Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by several fungi and moulds that exert toxicological effects on animals including immunotoxicity, genotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, teratogenicity, and neurotoxicity. However, the toxicological mechanisms of mycotoxins are complex and unclear. The nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor (NLR) family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a multimeric cytosolic protein complex composed of the NLRP3 sensor, ASC adapter protein, and caspase-1 effector. Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome plays a crucial role in innate immune defence and homeostatic maintenance. Recent studies have revealed that NLRP3 inflammasome activation is linked to tissue damage and inflammation induced by mycotoxin exposure. Thus, this review summarises the latest advancements in research on the roles of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the pathogenesis of mycotoxin exposure. The effects of exposure to multiple mycotoxins, including deoxynivalenol, aflatoxin B1, zearalenone, T-2 toxin, ochratoxin A, and fumonisim B1, on pyroptosis-related factors and inflammation-related factors in vitro and in vivo and the pharmacological inhibition of specific and nonspecific NLRP3 inhibitors are summarized and examined. This comprehensive review contributes to a better understanding of the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in toxicity induced by mycotoxin exposure and provides novel insights for pharmacologically targeting NLRP3 as a novel anti-inflammatory agent against mycotoxin exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]