There is a great clinical need to identify the underlying mechanisms, as well as related biomarkers, and treatment targets, for traumatic brain injury (TBI). Neuroinflammation is a central pathophysiological feature of TBI. NLRP3 inflammasome activity is a necessary component of the innate immune response to tissue damage, and dysregulated inflammasome activity has been implicated in a number of neurological conditions. This paper introduces the NLRP3 inflammasome and its implication in the pathogenesis of neuroinflammatory-related conditions, with a particular focus on TBI. Although its role in TBI has only recently been identified, findings suggest that priming and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome are upregulated following TBI. Moreover, recent studies utilizing specific NLRP3 inhibitors have provided further evidence that this inflammasome is a major driver of neuroinflammation and neurobehavioral disturbances following TBI. In addition, there is emerging evidence that circulating inflammasome-associated proteins may have utility as diagnostic biomarkers of neuroinflammatory conditions, including TBI. Finally, novel and promising areas of research will be highlighted, including the potential involvement of the NLRP3 inflammasome in mild TBI, how factors such as biological sex may affect NLRP3 activity in TBI, and the use of emerging biomarker platforms. Taken together, this review highlights the exciting potential of the NLRP3 inflammasome as a target for treatments and biomarkers that may ultimately be used to improve TBI management.

中文翻译：

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NLRP3炎性小体在颅脑外伤中的潜力：作为生物标志物和治疗靶标的潜力

临床上非常需要确定创伤性脑损伤（TBI）的潜在机制以及相关的生物标志物和治疗靶标。神经炎症是TBI的主要病理生理特征。NLRP3炎性小体活性是对组织损伤的先天性免疫反应的必要组成部分，炎症小体活性失调与许多神经系统疾病有关。本文介绍了NLRP3炎性小体及其在神经炎相关疾病发病机理中的意义，特别是在TBI方面。尽管其在TBI中的作用直到最近才被发现，但发现表明NLRP3炎性小体的引发和激活在TBI之后被上调。此外，最近使用特异性NLRP3抑制剂的研究提供了进一步的证据，表明该炎性小体是TBI后神经炎症和神经行为障碍的主要驱动因素。此外，新出现的证据表明，与炎症小体相关的循环蛋白可作为神经炎性疾病（包括TBI）的诊断生物标志物。最后，将重点介绍新颖和有前途的研究领域，包括NLRP3炎性体在轻度TBI中的潜在参与，诸如生物性别等因素如何影响TBI中NLRP3的活性以及新兴生物标志物平台的使用。综上所述，本综述强调了NLRP3炎性小体作为治疗和生物标志物靶标的令人兴奋的潜力，这些靶标可最终用于改善TBI管理。