Inflammasomes: Types and Activation

Inflammasomes are molecular platforms activated upon cellular infection or stress that trigger the maturation of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1b to engage innate immune defenses. It is a multiprotein oligomer consisting of caspase 1, PYCARD, NALP and sometimes caspase 5. Strong associations between dysregulated inflammasome activity and human heritable and acquired inflammatory diseases highlight the importance this pathway in tailoring immune responses. Here, we comprehensively review mechanisms directing normal inflammasome activation and its types. Agonists and activation mechanisms of the NLRP1, NLRP3, IPAF, and AIM2 inflammasomes are discussed in present review.