NLRP3 and atherosclerosis: The NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome system, a first-line sensor of the innate immune response, is currently considered as a key driver of vascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction [20] and a relevant player in multiple pathologies including atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases [21], diabetes mellitus [22], obstructive sleep apnea [23], or viral infections including COVID-19 [24].