# Organelle stress in NLRP3 inflammasome: a central mediator of neurodegenerative diseases

**Authors:** Huachao Jia, Lianghua Ma, Jinyue Liu, Menglin Gao, Xuxin Liang, Fan Zhang, Yanzi Gao, Mingyan Liu, Wanwei Jiang, Minjie Wei, Xin Zhong

PMC · DOI: 10.1186/s13024-025-00922-0 · Molecular Neurodegeneration · 2026-01-03

## TL;DR

This paper explores how organelle stress activates the NLRP3 inflammasome, contributing to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

## Contribution

It systematically reviews how multiple organelles and their signals drive NLRP3 activation in neurodegenerative diseases.

## Key findings

- Organelle stress signals like mtROS, CTSB, and Ca2+ activate the NLRP3 inflammasome.
- NLRP3 localization and post-translational modifications are critical for its activation.
- Targeting the organelle-NLRP3 axis offers potential therapeutic strategies for NDDs.

## Abstract

Organelle stress and NLRP3 inflammasome activation have been established as pivotal contributors to inflammatory responses and play a significant role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the involvement of multiple organelles and their interorganellar signaling in NLRP3 inflammasome activation has not yet been systematically elucidated. The causal mechanisms by which these organelles promote NLRP3 activation and subsequently drive the progression of NDDs remain unclear. Furthermore, therapeutic interventions targeting this pathway require urgent and comprehensive investigation. This article comprehensively reviews the mechanisms by which organelle-derived stress signals, such as mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS), cathepsin B (CTSB), and calcium ions (Ca2+), induce NLRP3 inflammasome activation. It further examines the pivotal role of organelle-specific NLRP3 localization and post-translational modifications in the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Finally, we outline NLRP3-mediated inflammatory processes in NDDs, focusing on events directly induced by organelle stress and interactions. These processes are not merely consequences of NDD progression but also critical factors accelerating disease deterioration. Potential therapeutic strategies targeting the organelle-NLRP3 axis are proposed, which may provide novel theoretical foundations and promising avenues for the prevention and treatment of NDDs.

## Linked entities

- **Proteins:** NLRP3 (NLR family pyrin domain containing 3), CTSB (cathepsin B)
- **Chemicals:** calcium ions (PubChem CID 271), Ca2+ (PubChem CID 271)
- **Diseases:** Alzheimer’s disease (MONDO:0004975), Parkinson’s disease (MONDO:0005180)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** NLRP3 (NLR family pyrin domain containing 3) [NCBI Gene 114548] {aka AGTAVPRL, AII, AVP, C1orf7, CIAS1, CLR1.1}
- **Diseases:** neurodegenerative diseases (MESH:D019636)

## Full text

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## Figures

6 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12866496/full.md

## References

24 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12866496/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12866496