NLRP2 in health and disease

NLR family pyrin domain containing 2 (NLRP2) is a novel member of the Nod‐like receptor (NLR) family. However, our understanding of NLRP2 has long been ambiguous. NLRP2 may have a role in the innate immune response, but its ‘specific’ functions remain controversial. Although NLRP2 can initiate inflammasome and promote inflammation, it can also downregulate inflammatory signals. Additionally, NLRP2 has been reported to function in the reproductive system and shows high expression in the placenta. However, the exact role of NLRP2 in the reproductive system is unclear. Here, we highlight the most current progress on NLRP2 in inflammasome activation, effector function and regulation of nuclear factor‐κB. And we discuss functions of NLRP2 in inflammatory diseases, reproductive disorders and the potential implication of NLRP2 in human diseases. NLRP2 plays an important role in the mammalian innate immune. NLRP2 is activated by ATP, LPS, or other inflammatory mediators and promote its transcription as well as the formation of the NLRP2 inflammasome, which mediate the inflammatory response by the regulation of caspase1 and subsequent secretion of IL‐1β and IL‐18. In addition, NLRP2 is believed to be an inhibitor of NF‐kB to regulate the inflammatory response. NLRP2‐suppressed NF‐κB signalling is involved in the coordinated expression of a wide variety of genes associated with the control of the innate and adaptive immune responses.