NLRP3 and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis: Accordingly, mRNA expression of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, pro-IL-1β, and pro-IL-18 is upregulated in the liver of NASH patients compared to healthy controls [10,13], and when NLRP3 was knocked out in a rodent model of NAFLD, the mice were protected from liver injury and fibrosis [13].