inflammasomsentrerte

Inflammasomes are multiprotein complexes that play a crucial role in innate immunity. They are cytosolic sensors that, upon activation by various pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), assemble and trigger a cascade of inflammatory responses. A key function of inflammasomes is the activation of caspases, particularly caspase-1. Activated caspase-1 then cleaves inactive precursor forms of pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18), into their mature, secreted forms. These cytokines are potent mediators of inflammation, fever, and immune cell recruitment. Furthermore, inflammasome activation can lead to pyroptosis, a highly inflammatory form of programmed cell death that releases intracellular contents, further amplifying the inflammatory signal. There are several well-characterized inflammasome types, including the NLRP3, NLRC4, and AIM2 inflammasomes, each recognizing different stimuli. Dysregulation of inflammasome activity has been implicated in a wide range of inflammatory diseases, including autoimmune disorders, metabolic diseases, and neurodegenerative conditions, highlighting their significance in both host defense and disease pathogenesis.