The inflammasome: a caspase-1-activation platform that regulates immune responses and disease pathogenesis

Nat Immunol. 2009 Mar;10(3):241-7. doi: 10.1038/ni.1703.

Abstract

The inflammasome is a multiprotein complex that mediates the activation of caspase-1, which promotes secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) and IL-18, as well as 'pyroptosis', a form of cell death induced by bacterial pathogens. Members of the Nod-like receptor family, including NLRP1, NLRP3 and NLRC4, and the adaptor ASC are critical components of the inflammasome that link microbial and endogenous 'danger' signals to caspase-1 activation. Several diseases are associated with dysregulated activation of caspase-1 and secretion of IL-1beta. Thus, understanding inflammasome pathways may provide insight into disease pathogenesis that might identify potential targets for therapeutic intervention.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / immunology*
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / immunology*
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / metabolism
  • CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins / immunology*
  • CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins / metabolism
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / immunology*
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Carrier Proteins / immunology*
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Caspase 1 / immunology*
  • Caspase 1 / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-1beta / immunology*
  • Interleukin-1beta / metabolism
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • NLR Proteins
  • Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs
  • Uric Acid / immunology
  • Uric Acid / metabolism

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • NLR Proteins
  • NLRC4 protein, human
  • NLRP1 protein, human
  • NLRP3 protein, human
  • Uric Acid
  • Caspase 1