Abstract: Members of nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat (LRR) -containing (NLR) family and the pyrin and HIN domain (PYHIN) family can form cytoplasmic multiprotein complexes termed "inflammasomes", which can be activated by diverse pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) or damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs).The function of inflammasomes is to activate Caspase-1, which leads to the maturation and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and IL-18 and induces pyroptosis, a form of cell death.The NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a multiprotein complex consisted of NLRP3, ASC and Caspase-1.Unlike other inflammasomes, the NLRP3 inflammasome can be activated by diverse stimuli, including bacterial products and endogenous molecules.The importance of the NLRP3 inflammasome in immunity and human diseases has been well documented, but the mechanisms of its activation and regulation remain unclear.In this review we summarized current understanding of the mechanisms of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and regulation.