What are inflammasomes?

Inflammasomes are intrinsic immune system receptors and sensors that mediate the body’s inflammatory response to injury and illness. They work by regulating the activation of caspase-1 and inducing inflammation in response to infection microbes and molecules derived from host proteins.

Inflammasomes occur as large multimeric protein complexes in the cytosol of immune cells. They are made up of a sensor protein, inflammatory caspases, and an adapter protein that connects the two. They are activated by a variety of endogenous and exogenous stimuli. Activation of inflammasomes constitutes the first line of defense against all types of microbial infections. When activated, inflammasomes trigger the secretion and cleavage of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18, which work together with various effector cells to coordinate the innate immune response. Under certain circumstances, inflammasomes also induce pyroptosis, a form of cell death.

Researchers have identified several distinct inflammasomes. They are differentiated by unique activators, caspase effectors, and NLR/ALR family members.