Abstract
The NLR (nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat containing) family of intracellular sensors is a crucial component of the innate immune system. A number of NLR family members can form multiprotein complexes, called inflammasomes, and are capable of activating the cysteine protease caspase-1 in response to a wide range of stimuli including both microbial and self-molecules. Caspase-1 activation leads to processing and secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and IL-18, which play crucial roles in host defense to infectious insults. Dysregulation of the inflammasome has also been linked to a number of autoinflammatory and autoimmune disorders. Recent advances in the inflammasome field will be discussed in this review.
Publication types
-
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
-
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
-
Review
MeSH terms
-
Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics
-
Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / immunology*
-
Animals
-
Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / genetics
-
Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / immunology*
-
Autoimmune Diseases / genetics
-
Bacterial Infections / genetics*
-
Bacterial Infections / immunology*
-
CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins / genetics
-
CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins / immunology*
-
Calcium-Binding Proteins / genetics
-
Calcium-Binding Proteins / immunology*
-
Caspase 1 / genetics
-
Caspase 1 / immunology
-
Gene Expression Regulation
-
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
-
Host-Pathogen Interactions
-
Humans
-
Immunity, Innate
-
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
-
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / immunology*
-
Interleukin-1beta / immunology
-
NLR Proteins
-
Polymorphism, Genetic
-
Signal Transduction
Substances
-
Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
-
Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
-
CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins
-
Calcium-Binding Proteins
-
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
-
Interleukin-1beta
-
NLR Proteins
-
NLRC3 protein, human
-
NLRC4 protein, human
-
NLRP1 protein, human
-
Caspase 1