NLRP3 and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency: In silicosis, the NLRP3 inflammasome is activated in AMs by phagocytosis of silica particles [27]; in obesity the NLRP3 inflammasome can be activated by factors released by stressed adipocytes and through activation of pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs) of AT macrophages [3].