What causes inflammasome activation?

Inflammasome activation may be initiated by a variety of cytosolic pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). These PRRs respond to microbe-derived pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) as well as danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) generated by the host cell.

During a bacterial infection or sterile tissue injury, the bacteria and host cells release adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which then induces inflammasome activation.