Reproduction involves tightly regulated series of events and the immune system 
is involved in an array of reproductive processes. Disruption of well-controlled 
immune functions leads to infertility, placental inflammation, and numerous 
pregnancy complications, including preeclampsia (PE). Inflammasomes are involved 
in the process of pathogen clearance and sterile inflammation. They are large 
multi-protein complexes that are located in the cytosol and play key roles in 
the production of the pivotal inflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-1β and 
IL-18, and pyroptosis. The nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, 
leucine-rich repeat-, and pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a 
key mediator of sterile inflammation induced by various types of 
damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Recent evidence indicates that the 
NLRP3 inflammasome is involved in pregnancy dysfunction, including PE. Many 
DAMPs (uric acid, palmitic acid, high-mobility group box 1, advanced glycation 
end products, extracellular vesicles, cell-free DNA, and free fatty acids) are 
increased and associated with pregnancy complications, especially PE. This 
review focuses on the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the pathophysiology of 
PE.