NLRP7 is a cytosolic pattern recognition receptor and member of the NLRP inflammasome family involved in innate immune regulation 1. As a lesser-studied inflammasome sensor, NLRP7 can form inflammasome complexes that activate caspase-1, leading to IL-1Ξ² and IL-18 secretion and pyroptosis in response to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) 23. Notably, NLRP7 senses bacterial lipoproteins and participates in the subcortical maternal complex, interacting with NLRP5, TLE6, PADI6, NLRP2, KHDC3L, OOEP, and ZBED3 45. Beyond inflammasome function, NLRP7 operates through inflammasome-independent pathways to regulate immune tolerance in trophoblast cells via HLA family, Ξ²CG, and PD-L1 modulation 6. Clinically, NLRP7 mutations cause recurrent hydatidiform moles and female infertility characterized by early embryo arrest 57. Five heterozygous NLRP7 variants impair oocyte quality and embryonic development 5. NLRP7 overexpression in gestational choriocarcinoma may enhance immune tolerance and promote malignant trophoblast proliferation 6. Understanding NLRP7's dual inflammasome-dependent and independent functions is critical for therapeutic targeting in inflammatory and reproductive disorders.
No tissue expression data available for this gene.