While NLRP3 is vital for initiating inflammation and facilitating the immune response, excessive and prolonged activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome can have detrimental effects and contribute to the development of various diseases, including diabetes, atherosclerosis, and gout (Broz and Dixit, 2016; Guo et al, 2015; Liu and Cao, 2016). Here, NLRP3 is linked to atherosclerosis.