Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation is crucial in atherosclerosis (AS) initiation and progression. Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) has been reported to display protective effects during AS development; however, the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Here we investigate the role of ALDH2 in ox-LDL-induced NLRP3 inflammasome priming and activation. We treated RAW264.7 murine macrophages with ox-LDL with or without ALDH2 activator Alda-1 and measured NLRP3 inflammasome priming and activation, ALDH2 protein expression and enzyme activity, IL-1 beta release, and DNA damage. It was found that ox-LDL impaired ALDH2 activity and induced NLRP3 inflammasome priming and activation. Alda-1 inhibited both of the priming and acti-vation steps of NLRP3 inflammasome as well as subsequent cell pyroptosis and attenuated ROS and 4-HNE levels in ox-LDL-treated macrophages. Taken together, ALDH2 activation inhibits priming and activation of NLRP3 inflammasome via reducing oxidative stress, which suggests that ALDH2 may be a potential target for anti-inflammatory therapies in AS treatment. (c) 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.