NLRP3 and atherosclerosis: NLRP3 inflammasome, composed of a nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor 3 (NLRP3), an apoptosis-associated spot-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC), and a serine protease caspase-1 [44], has remarkable effects on innate immunity and various inflammatory diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, and neurodegenerative diseases.