Inflammasome

The inflammasome is a multiprotein oligomer consisting of caspase 1, PYCARD, NALP and sometimes caspase 5 (also known as caspase 11 or ICH-3). It is expressed in myeloid cells and is a component of the innate immune system. The exact composition of an inflammasome depends on the activator which initiates inflammasome assembly, e.g. dsRNA will trigger one inflammasome composition whereas asbestos will assemble a different variant. The inflammasome promotes the maturation of the inflammatory cytokines Interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and Interleukin 18 (IL-18). The inflammasome is responsible for activation of inflammatory processes. Because the pro-inflammatory pathway does not need Toll-like receptors (TLRs), inflammasomes can detect cytoplasmic DNA that may be threatening and strengthen their innate response. Inflammasomes have been shown to induce cell pyroptosis, a process of programmed cell death distinct from apoptosis.