Role of NLRP3 inflammasome in the development of the autoimmune responses in EAE. Upon activation by DAMPs and possibly by PAMPs, the NLRP3 inflammasome processes IL-1β and IL-18 maturation in macrophages and DCs, which work as APCs. Secreted IL-1β and IL-18 were detected both by APCs as an autocrine manner and by CD4+ T cells, which are being activated with a self-antigen by the APCs. IL-1β and IL-18 induce expression of chemokines and their receptors both by T cells and APCs. Upregulation of chemokines and their receptors enhances migration of T cells and APCs to the CNS to progress EAE.
