Inflammasomes as microbial sensors

Abstract

Members of the Nod-like receptor family and the adaptor ASC assemble into multiprotein platforms, termed inflammasomes, to mediate the activation of caspase-1 and subsequent secretion of IL-1β and IL-18. Recent studies have identified microbial and endogenous molecules as well as possible mechanisms involved in inflammasome activation. © 2010 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.