Molecular Mechanisms and Functions of Pyroptosis, Inflammatory Caspases and Inflammasomes in Infectious Diseases

Overview

Journal Immunol Rev

Specialties Allergy & Immunology
General Surgery

Date 2017 May 3

PMID 28462526

Citations 783

Authors

Si Ming Man

Rajendra Karki

Thirumala-Devi Kanneganti

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Cell death is a fundamental biological phenomenon that is essential for the survival and development of an organism. Emerging evidence also indicates that cell death contributes to immune defense against infectious diseases. Pyroptosis is a form of inflammatory programmed cell death pathway activated by human and mouse caspase-1, human caspase-4 and caspase-5, or mouse caspase-11. These inflammatory caspases are used by the host to control bacterial, viral, fungal, or protozoan pathogens. Pyroptosis requires cleavage and activation of the pore-forming effector protein gasdermin D by inflammatory caspases. Physical rupture of the cell causes release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18, alarmins and endogenous danger-associated molecular patterns, signifying the inflammatory potential of pyroptosis. Here, we describe the central role of inflammatory caspases and pyroptosis in mediating immunity to infection and clearance of pathogens.

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