Thus, we hypothesized that a DNA promoter methylated variant of the NLRP3, AIM2 and ASC genes might induce a large secretion of IL-1β and IL-18, contribute to islet β cell death and dysfunction and impaired insulin secretion, and increase the risk of T2DM and vascular complications in a Han Chinese population. This evidence concerns the gene NLRP3 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.