Chloride regulates dynamic NLRP3-dependent ASC oligomerization and inflammasome priming

Significance The NLRP3 inflammasome is a multimolecular protein complex which is responsible for regulating the processing and secretion of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β. Understanding the mechanisms regulating the assembly of the inflammasome is of outstanding biological interest and importance, not least because of the contributions of the NLRP3 inflammasome to disease processes. Here we report insights into the dynamic nature of inflammasome oligomerization and its dependence on chloride ions. These studies reveal an additional layer of regulation and priming that can further enhance and drive inflammatory responses.